Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Ninth District, IL

District MapHomeWelcomeJan in the NewsJan in WashingtonCapitol Hill9th Congressional District, IllinoisServicesFeedbackContact JanPrivacy StatementCan't Find What You're Looking For?  
In the News | 2002 Releases | 2001 Releases | 2000 Releases
1999 Releases | 2000 Press Photos | 1999 Press Photos | Speeches
 
Press Release
 
JUNE 4, 2003
 
SCHAKOWSKY: REPUBLICANS WANT SMALL GOVERNMENT – JUST SMALL ENOUGH TO FIT INSIDE YOUR BEDROOM
 
WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) delivered the following statement during debate on H.R. 760, so called partial birth abortion bill:

Republicans want small government – just small enough to fit inside your bedroom. 

H.R. 760 forces government to step between pregnant mothers and their doctors, interfering with a doctor’s ability to make the safest and healthiest decisions for the mother.

Never mind that this bill is certifiably unconstitutional.

Proponents of this bill should be ashamed to go home to their wives, daughters, nieces, sisters, and women constituents and explain to them why they voted for a bill that not only blatantly disregards their health, but tried to claim that it is not an issue; explain to them why they voted for a bill that would criminalize the behavior of their doctors who acted in their best interest because the law said that their health did not matter.

This bill is not about late term abortion or even a so-called “partial-birth abortion” procedure, which has no medical definition in this bill. This bill is about banning safe abortion procedures that sometimes are the safest method of pre-viability, second trimester abortions.

For us to be true to the Constitution, to be true to the sentiments of equality and freedom, women must have control over their bodies.

Instead, proponents of this bill, including the Bush Administration, are using this bill as part of a broader agenda to take away a women’s Constitutionally guaranteed right to choose.  This assault on a woman’s right to control her body and her health must stop.

 

Home 
In the News 
Jan in DC 
Capitol Hill 
9th District, IL 
Services 
Feedback 

Next                                                        Previous
Press Release            Press Release List            Press Release