Congressman Brad Miller

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – May 31, 2012

Contact: LuAnn Canipe tel: (202) 225-3032 or 6089/ email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

________________________________________________________________________

Statement of U.S. Rep. Brad Miller on the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act

Washington, D.C. - I voted today against the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA), which threatens doctors with criminal charges because of a woman's reason for deciding to have an abortion. Many doctors will refuse to perform abortions rather than risk criminal charges, or refuse to perform an ultrasound rather than learn the gender of a fetus, which would deny women proper prenatal care.

The bill would also allow spouses or parents of pregnant women to bring a lawsuit to stop a woman from having an abortion by claiming that her intention is to select the gender of the child, putting judges in the middle of bitter family fights over the most intensely private matters.

The vast majority of pregnant women understand full well the significance of an abortion. Women should make important personal decisions, including even the decision whether to have an abortion, without politicians or judges deciding whether their reasons are good enough.

I'm pleased that PRENDA failed in a House floor vote.

###