December 6, 2006

Mr. Speaker, Republicans are apparently so concerned about the pain of unborn children that they are willing to promote junk science and have Congress dictate the contents of a brochure given to all women seeking to have an abortion.  Where is the sense of urgency for children once they are actually born?  What has this Congress done to address increasing rates of child poverty and hunger, decreasing access to health care, and the abysmal state of education and child care in this country?

Inevitably, my Republican colleagues say it’s a “state issue” or that there’s not enough evidence that federal action would work.  I guess this bill proves that if the issue is important enough to the Christian Right, federalism and evidence get tossed aside.  If only the needs of children or the demands of voters had similar power to break through right wing ideology.  This is a fitting end to the Congress that found the time to meddle with Terri Schiavo and vote against the fabricated war on Christmas but couldn’t make time to finish nine appropriations bills.

Mr. Speaker, the jig is up on this pathetic excuse for governing.  Let’s begin a new direction for America by voting against this divisive bill.