In November the American people sent a loud and clear message to Washington: work together to get the economy moving again. And during the lame duck session and then over the past few weeks, I was encouraged by the ability of Republicans and Democrats to come together to work for the American people. But now, just two weeks into the new Congress, it appears Republicans in the House are already seeking to end that spirit of cooperation.
They have introduced HR3: The No Taxpayer Funded Abortions Act, which would restrict women's access to affordable reproductive care and even deny care to women when their lives are in danger. This bill would severely undermine women's rights.
Even as Republicans lament that the government is being too intrusive in people's lives, it seems that the very personal, private and often painful issue of ending a pregnancy is one area they are determined to regulate. Tragically, the consequences of this intrusiveness could prove disastrous to the health and well-being of women across America.
The Republicans likely have a large enough majority in the House to pass this bill, but we must block this bill in the U.S. Senate. Earlier this week, Senator Blumenthal and I sent a letter to all of our colleagues in the Senate, urging them to oppose similar legislation.
In the letter we wrote:
We must work together to stop these bills in their tracks, as they represent an unprecedented effort to restrict women's access to reproductive health care and to their trusted health care providers.
I pledge to you that, just as we did with the Stupak Amendment, we will organize our fellow Senators to make sure we defeat this legislation. Can I count on you to join us in this fight to make sure Republicans and some conservative Democrats don't succeed in chipping away at a woman's right to choose even further than they already have?
Please sign this petition and show my colleagues that the grassroots is behind us.
Thank you for your support.
Follow Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SenGillibrand
What you should be doing is working in your state to help find private, corporate and other funding to help poorer women get abortions funded. In most cases the pregancies could have and should have been avoided in the first place.
I will have you know I 100% believe in a woman's right to choose myself. It should never ever be different but it is hypocritical to fight for public funding to "protect" women's rights while at the same time advocating taking away someone else's right to a legitimate position on the matter.
Us regular folks call your position Spin.
Get over it. Not even the President gets a line item veto!
No one is taking away any anti-choice persons rights. If they don't believe in abortion, they are FREE to not have one.
Male who are anti-choice are free to WRAP THAT RASCAL!
The Hyde Amendment already prohibits use of federal funds for abortion without exception. However, as congress has reauthorized each year, congress has added an exception for rape and incest.
Hence the desire of the GOP to define "rape" as "not rape" and "incest" as "not incest."
It is the GOP and you engaging in doublespeak!
HR 3 contains an express exception and allows taxpayer funded abortion when, '..‘(2) in the case where the pregnant female suffers from a physical disorder, physical injury, or physical illness that would, as certified by a physician, place the pregnant female in danger of death unless an abortion is performed, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself...'
It also contains exceptions for forcible rape and incest involving a minor. Questions have been raised whether forcible rape includes such things as date rape. State laws differ (Louisiana includes it) but this 'issue' can easily be addressed during debate to clarify the bill so that such things are included.
The intent of Bill is to use plain English and get the government out of our bedrooms and stop taxpayer funding to fix mistakes that may occur when consenting but irresponsible adults or their irresponsible children get themselves pregnant. I thought that's what the liberals want - the right to 'manage' their own bodies, etc. without government 'looking' over their shoulder.