“My decision to support HR 748, the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, was based on my respect for parental rights. Roe v. Wade guarantees the right of a woman and her doctor to make decisions about her own health. I have always defended that right, and my position remains unchanged.

This legislation is not perfect and it may not effectively achieve its objective. But there is no question that the vast majority of citizens whom I represent agree with the basic premise. And if it helps abortion opponents to understand and accept that legal abortion is the law of the land, then I will reluctantly support this bill and I will look for opportunities to improve the public dialogue on this issue in the future.

Many different groups who have divergent political and religious perspectives share this view. Elected officials have an obligation to strike a reasonable balance between different sides in such highly charged emotional issues.”