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Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) today delivered remarks in opposition to a Republican attempt to allow a woman’s employer to interfere with her healthcare decisions.

The District of Columbia recently passed the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment (RHNDA) Act, which would protect women from discrimination in the workplace based on their personal reproductive healthcare decisions. H.J.Res. 43 would disapprove D.C.’s action and allow employers to fire women for their private reproductive healthcare decisions.

DelBene’s speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:

“I am deeply troubled that this chamber continues to waste its time attacking women’s health – rather than crafting solutions for the American people. Instead of addressing the real challenges facing our nation, this resolution is yet another attempt by House leaders to inject ideology into women’s personal medical decisions.

“A woman’s healthcare should be between her and her doctor, not her boss. By overturning D.C.’s new anti-discrimination protections, this resolution would give employers the right to fire workers based on the decisions they make about their birth control. That is simply unacceptable.

“All Americans should be free to make medical decisions without the fear of being fired or demoted. Now is the time for House leaders to stop undermining women’s reproductive rights and focus on the actual needs of working families.

“I urge my colleagues to vote NO, and I yield back.”

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