Department Of Labor, Health And Human Services, And Education, And Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008

Floor Speech

DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 -- (House of Representatives - July 18, 2007)

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Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Chairman, this amendment is very straightforward. It seeks to hold accountable title X grantees who do not abide by State laws that require notification or reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape or incest. This issue is not a new one. In 1997, it came to light that title X grantees were not reporting rape, incest, sexual abuse, child abuse and molestations.

In response, Congress included language in the 1999 Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill to clarify that title X grantees are not exempt from State reporting laws. This language has been retained since that time. Unfortunately, despite this clarification, some title X grantees still do not appear to be reporting cases of rape and incest.

On May 10th of this year, the Cincinnati Enquirer reported the story of two young ladies who were victims of sexual abuse. One young lady was continually molested by her father. The abuse began when the girl was just 13 years old. In November 2004, she was forced by her father to have an abortion. She says that she told an employee of the abortion clinic that she was being ``forced to have sex and do things she didn't want to do.'' Despite this fact, no report was made. She was sent home with her father to endure another year and a half of sexual abuse.

In another case, a 14-year-old girl was taken by her 21-year-old soccer coach to have an abortion. She allegedly used a junior high school ID and her abuser paid for the procedure with a credit card and driver's license. The abuse was never reported.

According to the story in the Enquirer regarding the second case that I mentioned, a form filled out by Planned Parenthood said, ``Patient reports pregnancy is the result of sexual assault by a stranger. After consultation with attorney, report of a crime to the police was not made. Due to physician-patient privilege, we are prohibited from reporting as no severe bodily injury was reported.''

The young lady's attorney says that prosecutors in four local counties know of no such exception in reporting requirements.

Mr. Chairman, my amendment is simple. It simply says that title X grantees who have been found by a Federal or State agency or a court of law to have violated State reporting requirements in the preceding 36 months cannot receive Federal title X funds. I urge support for my amendment.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. SCHMIDT. Madam Chairman, I understand the chairman has objected to my amendment. I am sorry we do not have the opportunity to vote on this very important issue.

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