Support a Woman's Right to Choose

Floor Speech

Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the recent determination by a federal judge that new Texas abortion restrictions directly violate the U.S. Constitution. When Governor Rick Perry signed into law Texas H.B. 2, a smattering of new limitations on access to abortion, he threatened to take away a woman's right to choose.

The Texas law would ban abortions 20 weeks after fertilization, mandate that abortion providers have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility, and requires doctors to administer the abortion-inducing medication in person rather than at home. These provisions would cause dozens of abortion clinics to shutter their doors, restricting access to women.

District Judge Lee Yeakel struck down the regulation that would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, a notion that creates an undue obstacle for women seeking an abortion. Yeakel also blocked the provision that would require physicians to follow U.S. Food and Drug Administration procedure for abortion medication because a physician can ultimately determine what route of medication is best for the preservation of the life or health of the mother.

Unfortunately, the law still bans abortions at 20 weeks of pregnancy and requires all physicians to perform abortions in surgical facilities. Restricting care for women is unconscionable. Currently, a woman's access to abortion depends mostly on her zip code. While the U.S. Constitution federally protects women, states with anti-abortion leaders impose restrictive laws. These state laws cannot stand up to the U.S. Constitution.

I urge my colleagues to support a woman's right to choose, a law that was established in 1973 with the decision made in Roe v. Wade. I am proud to stand as a pro-choice legislator and vow to protect fair access to abortions in my state.

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