DELAURO FIGHTS BACK AGAINST REPUBLICAN ASSAULT ON WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE

Washington, DC— Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (CT-3), Ranking Member on the Labor, Education, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, spoke on the floor of the United States House of Representatives today in opposition to H.R. 3, which will restrict women's access to health care services.

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"I rise in strong opposition to this overreaching legislation. It raises taxes, threatens the health of our economy, and endangers women's health. This bill will raise taxes on small businesses that offer comprehensive health coverage for women. It will punish perfectly legal private health decisions by raising taxes on plans that offer coverage for abortion. 87 percent of private health plans will be impacted by this unprecedented assault.

"And Americans will see their health insurance options restricted or taken away. With this legislation we have yet another example of the majority's real priorities, not to create jobs, not to grow the economy, not to reduce the deficit, but to advance a divisive social agenda by manipulating the tax code.

"And they are doing more than just raising taxes. Rather than trusting women like the majority of Americans do, the House majority is trying to force women back into traditional roles. They are risking their very health and the report that accompanies this bill goes even further. It tries to redefine rape and narrow the exception for sexual assault.

"This bill is unconscionable. I urge my colleagues to oppose it. We should be focused on creating jobs, not raising taxes and putting women's lives at risk."