DeGette urges colleagues to oppose GOP rules to fast-track anti-abortion agenda

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), co-chair of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, took to the House floor today to urge her colleagues to oppose a package of rules that House Republicans have put forth that would pave the way for the immediate passage of several pieces of legislation aimed at limiting women’s right to reproductive care.

 “If there was any overriding issue of clarity in the last election, it’s that Americans feel strongly that they should have the freedom to make their own health care decisions – not politicians,” DeGette said. “Apparently, House Republicans weren’t listening.”

 Included in the 55-page document that will govern the House for the next two years is a list of measures that will be considered and passed outside of regular order. Three of the twelve measures listed to be fast-tracked are directly aimed at limiting women’s right to abortion care.

“Just two months after a record number of Americans voted to vehemently oppose the GOP’s efforts to criminalize abortion care in this country, we have today a set of rules that will make their extreme agenda a reality,” DeGette said. “These rules will pave the way for the immediate passage of not one, not two, but three bills that will limit women’s right to reproductive care. Twenty-five percent of their initial agenda is anti-choice. This is not what the people want.”

Among the measures that would be rammed through under the rules are:

• A bill to codify the so-called Hyde Amendment, which prohibits programs, such as Medicaid, from providing coverage for abortion care.
• A bill to create criminal penalties for doctors who perform abortions.
• A resolution expressing support for anti-choice groups and facilities.

 “I urge all of my colleagues to stand up to this extremism, and stand up for the people who we were elected to serve,” DeGette said. “Vote no on the rule. Let’s listen to our constituents.”

Below is a transcript of DeGette’s remarks on the floor. Video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C48zKKSF3s

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette

Remarks on the House floor

January 9, 2023

 If there was any overriding issue of clarity in the last election, it’s that Americans feel strongly that they should have the freedom to make their own health care decisions – not politicians.

 Apparently, House Republicans weren’t listening.

Because just two months after a record number of Americans voted to vehemently oppose the GOP’s efforts to criminalize abortion care in this country, we have today a set of rules that will make their extreme agenda a reality.

These rules will pave the way for the immediate passage of not one, not two, but three bills that will limit women’s right to reproductive care.

Twenty-five percent of their initial agenda is anti-choice.

This is not what the American people want.

Sixty-one percent of this country strongly supports a women’s right to abortion care.

I urge all of my colleagues to stand up to this extremism, and stand up for the people who we were elected to serve.

Vote no on the previous question to bring up the Women’s Health Protection Act; and vote no on the rule.

 Let’s listen to our constituents.

I yield back.