OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act

Date: April 27, 2005
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women Abortion


CHILD INTERSTATE ABORTION NOTIFICATION ACT -- (House of Representatives - April 27, 2005)

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Ms. FOXX. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Wisconsin (Chairman Sensenbrenner) for yielding me this time to speak on this important issue.

I rise today to urge my colleagues to support H.R. 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act. This important piece of legislation will make it a Federal crime to transport a minor across State lines to obtain an abortion in another State.

Unfortunately, only about half our States currently have parental notification or consent laws in effect, and all too often these laws are circumvented by those wishing to take minors to other States that do not have parental notification requirements. This often happens under heavy pressure from older boyfriends or at the urging of abortion providers.

In order to protect the welfare of young women and the rights of their parents, Congress has a duty to regulate this interstate activity. Furthermore, those who manipulate and abuse young, vulnerable, pregnant women should be punished. This must include irresponsible abortionists who perform abortions on young women from other States. As Federal lawmakers, we also have an obligation to protect the rights of the States. Unfortunately, when it comes to abortion, these State laws are being trampled on at the expense of vulnerable young women and their families.

Life does begin at conception and is sacred. We should do all we can to protect life. This includes empowering the States that have parental notification laws to enforce them. Abortionists should not be rewarded for opening their businesses to new markets in other States. The health and well-being of these young women is at risk.

I am optimistic about the future of this legislation because of the tenacity of the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), the 129 cosponsors of the bill, the support the Committee on the Judiciary and the chairman of the committee, and our leadership in the House. Life is a gift from God delivered at conception. It must be protected and cherished at that point forward. I am happy and honored to be here to celebrate another great stride towards that goal.

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