District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. HIRONO. Mr. Speaker, I strongly oppose H.R. 3803, yet another assault on women's personal decision making.

In Hawaii, people tell me we should be talking about jobs and working together to get the economy moving. Instead, the House Republican Majority continues its assault on women. Debating divisive social issues isn't going to help our economy or create one single job.

A woman's right to choose is a fundamental freedom--there is no place for politicians in individuals' private medical decisions.

H.R. 3803 restricts access to abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks, regardless of who pays for the procedure. The bill wouldn't even allow for abortion in the case of rape or incest, makes no exception for a woman's health, and would require a woman to carry a nonviable fetus to term.

A woman shouldn't need to ask a politician for permission to make private medical decisions. H.R. 3803 would let politicians tell women what to do.

I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and get to work on the real issues people in Hawaii are most concerned about right now, creating jobs and moving our economy forward.

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