Objections to adopt S.Res.312 and S.Res.37

Senator Murray asked that the consent be modified to instead take up and adopt S.Res.37, a resolution supporting women's reproductive health care decisions.

Senator Lee objected to the modification. Senator Murray objected to the original request.

Unofficial Transcript:

MURRAY: I WOULD ASK THE SENATOR TO MODIFY HIS REQUEST TO A RESOLUTION THAT ACTUALLY HELPS MOVE WOMEN'S HEALTH AND RIGHTS FORWARD. SIMPLY PUT, THIS IS ANOTHER EFFORT TO PANDER TO THE EXTREME REPUBLICAN BASE BY USING WOMEN'S HEALTH AND CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED RIGHTS AS A POLITICAL FOOTBALL. AND, UNFORTUNATELY, IT MAKES CLEAR FOR THE UMTEETH TIME THAT WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR WOMEN,  SOME REPUBLICANS ARE DETERMINED TO STAND IN THE WAY OF PROGRESS. I SUSPECT THAT SOME OF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES WILL SAY THIS RESOLUTION SHOWS HOW MANY THEY CARE ABOUT WIMS HEALTH. THE TRUTH IS, IT SHOWS THE OPPOSITE. IT SHOWS ONCE AGAIN THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY WANTS TO INTERFERE IN A WOMAN'S MEDICAL DECISIONS. STRENGTHENING WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE DOESN'T START WITH TELLING WOMEN WHAT THEY SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT DO WITH THEIR OWN BODIES, BUT THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THAT RESOLUTION DOES. IF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUES REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE CARE, THEY WOULD WORK WITH DEMOCRATS ON IMPROVING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE BIRTH CONTROL UNDER THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, INCLUDING EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES; ENSURING WOMEN AND FAMILIES MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR HEALTH CARE, NOT THEIR BOSSES; AND FIGHTING BACK AGAINST EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO UNDERMINE WOMEN'S CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED HEALTH CARE RIGHTS. MADAM PRESIDENT, IT'S TIME FOR REPUBLICANS TO DROP THE POLITICAL ATTACKS ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND INSTEAD JOIN DEMOCRATS TO FOCUS ON THESE PRIORITIES AND MORE LIKE THEM SO THAT WOMEN, NOT POLITICIANS, NOT INSURANCE COMPANIES, NOT C.F.O. -- OR, C.E.O.'S, ARE IN THAT HE -- AREIN CONTROL OF THEIR HEALTH CARE. I ASK THE SENATOR TO MODIFY HIS REQUEST THAT THE HEALTH COMMITTEE BE DISCHARGED FROM RES. 37 AND THE SENATE PROCEED TO ITS IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION, THE RESOLUTION BE AGREED TO, THE PREAMBLE BE AGREED TO, THE MOTION TO RECONSIDER BE CONSIDERED MADE AND LAID ON THE TABLE, WITH NO INTERVENING ACTION OR DEBATE.