Velazquez on Planned Parenthood

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) made the following remarks regarding H.R. 3134, legislation debated today on the House floor that would defund Planned Parenthood:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this brazen assault on women's health, which would harm lower income women around this nation.

"The legislation we are debating today would mean that women with limited health options will find it harder to secure lifesaving services-- like breast exams and pap tests. In New York alone, cutting Planned Parenthood funding would mean that nearly 50,000 fewer breast exams would occur. 37,000 women would no longer receive pap tests. Millions of women nationwide would no longer have access to STI screenings and treatments, to say nothing of additional unplanned pregnancies.

"These are just some of the critical treatments and procedures Planned Parenthood provides – some of which save women's lives. If you want to proclaim yourself "pro-life" then you should care about women's lives – not focus on depriving them of health care services and contraception.

"Today, we have just a few legislative days left before another Republican-fueled government shutdown. We know this misguided bill we are debating is going nowhere. It will not pass the Senate. If it did, the President would veto it.

"Yet, House Republicans remain obsessed with attacking Planned Parenthood and reducing women's healthcare options – to the point where they are ready to engender another government shutdown.

"We need to reject this legislation so we get back to the serious business of governing. Support women's health care, vote no on the bill. I yield back."

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