Hearing of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Steve Womack, Markup on the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill

Hearing

"Thank you, Madam Chair.

"Not lost on me is the fact that the previous speaker talked about how she's not here today because she's dedicating a courthouse.

"And, I thought that our provisions for proxy voting were based on concerns about the coronavirus.

"I think we need to re-evaluate the conditions under which we're allowing people to miss their congressional duty by opting out of these in-person appearances.

"But that's not why I rise right now. I rise in support of the amendment from the gentleman from Oklahoma.

"And, it's a good thing that for the last 45 years, in a bipartisan, bicameral way, we have been able to pass appropriations bills with this language.

"Let's remember what our duty is here today. Our duty is to fund the government. And hopefully in a timely way, although we're probably going to be a little short on that expectation.

"That's a whole nother story. But we're not going to fund the government--at least in this bill--without this language.

"It is clear to me that absent the Hyde and Weldon amendments, this bill will never become law.

"And, I know I represent a lot of people in the Third District of Arkansas that do not believe that taxpayers should be forced to foot the bill for abortions. That's why I'm in the strongest opposition to the absence of this language.

"This bill is supposed to include funding for programs that protect and support the health and well-being of all Americans. And, as it has been said before, this is not health care for the unborn.

"Excluding the Hyde amendment is a non-starter.

"Madam Chair, I don't think that negotiations should continue until we add this straightforward, longstanding provision that safeguards taxpayers from funding abortion and upholding the sanctity of life by protecting the unborn.

"We have a job to do.

"This is going to be in the way of us getting our job accomplished. The bill will not become law without the language.

"So, I think it's time that we recognize that, take the appropriate steps, approve this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time."

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