In the News

In a speech in the US House Judiciary Committee this morning, freshman US Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-WA,1) called a proposal sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks (R-8, AZ) that would ban all abortions after 20 weeks' gestation, including to save the health of a woman or in cases of rape or incest, "unconstitutional" and "unconscionable." 

After offering a (failed) amendment that would at least allow abortions after 20 weeks to save a woman's health, DelBene read written remarks, saying, in part: 

"I’m disappointed that the consideration of women’t health and safety needs have largely been absent from the ongoing conversation. All too often women’s voices are not heard and we must not forget that this legislation would impact the lives of real women across the country. ...

"I think we should all be able to agree that Congress has a critical role to play in women’s health. Rather than supporting this dangerous legislation, Congress should be protecting and investing in programs that are needed to ensure that all women, regardless of income or background, have access to the affordable health care that they need to ensure that they have healthy pregnancies. ... 

"Instead, this bill] bans abortions necessary to protect a woman’s health and fails to recognize that there are many things that can go wrong during a woman’s pregnancy. HR 1797 would force a woman to wait unil her condition is terminal to finally protect her health, but by then it might be too late. This restriction is not only unconscionable, it’s unconstitutional. ... When we focus on legislation that comes between women and their doctors, we’re allowing Congress instead of doctors to set medical protocols."

To read the full story, click HERE.