Rosa DeLauro

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will continue to yield, one of those FDA directors, Dr. David Kesler, former director of the FDA, now dean of the Yale Medical School in New Haven, Connecticut, has written a statement that, in fact, that is inaccurate. He has been very clear.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York for yielding to me. I want to congratulate him for pulling several of us together this afternoon to talk about what is probably one of the most critical issues that the American public is facing. So to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley), the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Sanders), the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Berry), the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. Baldwin) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Thurman), who are here on the floor this afternoon, we will continue to be on the floor of this House for as long as it takes to be able to bring some relief to the crushing cost of prescription drugs that people are facing in this country today. Let me just make one comment, which is that we need to have a prescription drug benefit that is voluntary, that is universal and universal in the sense that it covers all seniors and that, in fact, it ought to be done under the Medicare program that will reach all seniors and provide the opportunity to, in the best way, allow for doctors and their patients, our seniors, to be able to prescribe the drugs that are needed for people to survive and for seniors to be able to get them and not be at the mercy of an insurance company or an HMO to be able to get that prescription drug. That being said, it is unlikely, sadly enough, that in this House and in this Congress we will be unable to pass a prescription drug benefit through Medicare before we leave this body in the next few weeks. So what we need to do in these final weeks of the Congress is we have an opportunity to pass this prescription drug reimportation legislation, and we need not to have this legislation slip through our fingers. It has been stated quite eloquently that we have FDA regulations today that only the manufacturer of a drug can import into the United States. Therefore, the pharmaceutical companies have unfairly used these regulations to control prescription drug distribution in the United States at the expense of seniors. We have in the United States Senate the agricultural appropriations bill which allows the wholesalers and the pharmacists to reimport or import FDA approved prescription drugs. The bill that we passed in the House, I might add, is not as strong as the one that was passed in the Senate because in the Senate language that protects against the import of counterfeit, mislabeled, or adulterated drugs, and we need to protect this language. It is critical. We are here for the good and not the harm of the American people. We must work together to allocate the $23 million to get this effort started on the right foot. Let me just tell my colleagues, to make this very simple, we all know and our seniors specifically know that in other countries people pay 20, 30, and even 50 percent less than their prescription drugs. The same medication that costs $1 in America costs 64 cents in Canada, 57 cents in France and 51 cents in Italy. Let me make the point clearly. Consider Zantac, which is made by GlaxcoWellcome in the United Kingdom. GlaxcoWellcome is based in the United Kingdom. What we are asking is just the same price that they would sell Zantac to Brits, sell that at the same cost to people in the United States. With regard to Zantac, it is marked up by 58 percent when it is sold in the United States, 58 percent. Why? Our seniors deserve better. They deserve to have the same medication at the same price. That is what this bill would allow, pharmacists and wholesalers to purchase medication at the same low prices that people pay in other countries, pass that savings on to America's seniors. It is common sense and it makes the world of difference to people who are struggling. And they are making those awful choices between prescription medications that they need to survive and groceries and heating bills and rent and everything else. My colleagues have said this. I will mention it briefly. There is an awful disinformation campaign on our airwaves, and people should act more responsibly. They have bought millions and millions of dollars of advertising to sell the American public a bill of goods. I have done this in my district. I have gone literally from center to center, senior center to senior center, with the ad and pointed out the lies in these ads. The public has got to know the truth. The campaign implies that the importation of pharmaceuticals is unsafe, and nothing can be further from the truth. Let me just say this to my colleagues today that the pharmaceutical industry already imports 80 percent of the ingredients it uses in the prescription medicines that it sells in the United States, and 20 percent of the medicines it sells in the United States are manufactured abroad. No matter where they are made, all of these drugs are tested by the FDA. Let me say to my colleagues that we need to call on the pharmaceutical industry. And I will just say straight out, I represent the pharmaceutical industry in my district in Connecticut and I have said plainly to them, take the ads off the air. Reasonable people can come to a table and discuss an issue. They do a wonderful job. And if a lot of it is taxpayer research that we pay for, I am a survivor of ovarian cancer, I understand the benefits of biomedical research and pharmaceutical drugs. They do a good job of producing those. But it does us no good if people cannot afford to get the benefit of this taxpayer research and the work that they did. Let us come together. Let us make it possible for people to afford the prescription drugs. I will say, since that has not happened, then we have an obligation to pass this reimportation legislation before we leave this institution in the next 2 or 3 weeks. I thank my colleague for putting this effort together today.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, this issue of health care in school-based clinics was already dealt with by the conference and it was rejected. This motion would deny Federal funding to any school-based clinic that provides emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is not abortion. It cannot terminate a pregnancy. It prevents pregnancy in critical hours after unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive in a school-based clinic is prescribed only by a doctor to young people seeking to act responsibly to prevent unintended pregnancy. School-based health clinics are different across this country. They have been set up with the input of local officials, school personnel, parents and students. All of these interested parties participate in the decisions about what services they believe are appropriate and how the clinics will be run. Let us leave these decisions to the communities and to the local officials who are involved. As I said, this conference has already agreed to reject this proposal. It is wrongheaded and I urge my colleagues in the full House to reject this motion.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding member of the New Haven community, and my dear friend, Walter Brooks, whose passing has ended a career spanning over four decades--truly an era in New Haven politics. Today, members of the New Haven community will gather to honor the memory of Walter and the lifetime of contributions he has made. Throughout his life, Walter demonstrated a unique commitment to the families and neighborhoods of New Haven. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Walter on a variety of projects during my career. His charisma and energy never ceased to amaze me. I have often spoke of our nation's need to make communities our first priority by bringing life to projects that create better neighborhoods in which working families can earn a living and raise their children. Using his myriad of talents, Walter worked hard to achieve these goals. As a state legislator, Walter served as the chairman of the Black and Hispanic Caucus and was appointed to the Select Housing Committee where he worked with State Attorney General Richard Blumenthal to draft the affordable housing statute--helping to ensure that all families would have safe, affordable housing in which to raise their families. With the Hill Development Corporation, Project MORE, and most recently, the Beulah Land Development Corporation, Walter focused his energy on providing some of our communities most vulnerable families with the chance for an irreplaceable opportunity--the chance to own their own home. Serving as the Chairman of the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners, Walter has been an integral partner in the recent re- organization of the agency. Tirelessly working to revitalize New Haven neighborhoods, Walter exemplified the activism essential to building strong and vital communities. Walter was a driving force behind Connecticut politics--locally and statewide. His encouragement and guidance led many minorities to seek and win elected office. A skilled political organizer, Walter committed himself to local and state issues. Serving two terms as an Alderman in the City of New Haven and five terms as a State Representative in the General Assembly, Walter was never afraid to fight for what he believed was right--regardless of where his party may have stood. He has often been characterized as a legislator willing to roll up his sleeves and knock on doors to get people involved. He understood the importance of community participation and made every effort to involve community members in the issues that affected their neighborhoods and families. Walter served on the Board of Alderman for the City of New Haven, along with my mother, Luisa DeLauro. There he was her colleague and her friend. He accompanied her on a trip to Taiwan, and of course I felt better knowing that he was there looking out for her. Walter exemplified what an elected official should be, a role model for many who continue to serve in public office today, and his example will continue to inspire people to ensure their neighborhoods have a strong voice advocating on their behalf. As a civil rights activist, housing advocate, or political advisor, his efforts have made a real difference in the lives of thousands of Connecticut residents. Walter has left an indelible mark on the City of New Haven and the State of Connecticut. It is with my sincerest condolences and greatest sympathies that I join his wife, Andrea Jackson-Brooks, his children, family, friends, and community members in bidding a sad farewell to Walter Brooks. His memory will long serve as an example to us all--his legacy never forgotten.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to celebrate the 105th anniversary of a true New Haven landmark: Louis' Lunch. Recently the Lassen family celebrated this landmark as well as the 100th anniversary of their claim to fame---the invention and commercial serving of one of America's favorites, the hamburger. A hundred years ago, Louis Lassen, founder of Louis' Lunch, ran a small lunch wagon selling steak sandwiches to local factory workers. A frugal business man, Louis did not like to waste the excess beef from his daily lunch rush. So, he ground up the excess, grilled it, and served it between two slices of bread---without ketchup. With a meat grinder and a streak of that infamous Yankee ingenuity, Louis changed the course of American culinary history, serving America's first hamburger. This is the story that each faithful patron will hear when they visit the small Crown Street luncheonette still owned and operated by the third and fourth generations of the Lassen family. Hamburgers are still the specialty of the house where steak is ground fresh each day and hand molded, still slow cooked on the same turn-of-the-century gas grills, broiled vertically, and served between two slices of toast with your choice of three acceptable garnish: cheese, tomato, and onion. Requests for ketchup or mustard are briskly declined. This is the home of the greatest hamburger in the world---a claim that is not easily contested---perhaps best known for allowing their customers to have a burger their way or not at all. More than just another diner, Louis' Lunch has held a special place in the hearts of the residents of New Haven for more than a century. Thousands turned out in the 1960s and 1970s when the city announced plans to raze Louis' to make room for a new high rise building--- testimony to its immeasurable popularity and special place in our City's history. After fighting City Hall for ten years, Ken Lassen, Louis' grandson, agreed to move the luncheonette to its present Crown Street location. To help with the reconstruction, patrons donated bricks for the new walls. Today, as he takes you on the ``tour of the walls'', Ken recounts each brick's unique story and can point to stones from Rome's Colosseum, paving bricks from Lisbon, Portugal, even a chunk of rock from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Designated an historic landmark in 1967, it was with great pride that I nominated Louis' Lunch as a part of the Library of Congress' ``Local Legacies'' project earlier this year. The Lassens and the community of New Haven shared unparalleled excitement when the Library of Congress named Louis' Lunch a ``Connecticut Legacy''---nothing could be more true. The Lassen family has left an indelible mark on our community's history--and our country's history. I know the New Haven community will join me as I stand today to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Ken Lassen and his family on the 105th anniversary of Louis' Lunch. My best wishes for another century of success.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to stand today to honor a remarkable individual who has left a lasting mark on our Nation and its children. I am honored to pay tribute to Irving B. Harris as he celebrates his 90th birthday on August 4, 2000. Irving's leadership and commitment is inspiring. His passion and advocacy have led the fight for policy development on behalf of very young children and families, attention to the physical and mental health of pregnant women and mothers of infants and toddlers, the prevention of violence, the training of a competent infant/family work force, and the building of effective community-based programs. He is as well-respected as a leading voice for children as he is as a corporate leader. After entering the business world following his graduation from Yale University, he served with both the Board of Economic Warfare and the Office of Price Administration during World War II. He has served in executive capacities for several well-known companies, including the Toni Home Permanent Co., and the Pittway Corp. However, Mr. Harris is best known for his commitment to improving the chances of disadvantaged children across this country. His many contributions and determined advocacy for the well-being and development of infants, toddlers, and their families are legendary. He was instrumental in creating and establishing such well-respected institutions as the Erikson Institute and the Ounce of Prevention Fund, as well as the highly ambitious Beethoven Project, which has served as models for the development of training and service programs across the country. He helped to establish Zero to Three, a national nonprofit charitable organization whose mission is to strengthen and support families, practitioners and communities to promote the healthy development of babies and toddlers. He was the moving force in the establishment of the Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago. His vision and leadership have earned him appointments to the National Commission on Children and the Carnegie Corporation of New York's Task Force on Meeting the Needs of Young Children. For his efforts, Irving has been awarded 10 honorary degrees. He has been, and continues to be, a champion for children and families everywhere. It is with great pride that I rise today to congratulate Irving. I also would like to extend my sincere thanks and appreciation for his many contributions and best wishes for continued- health and success. Our Nation's children thank you and wish you a happy birthday.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to pay tribute to a native of New Haven, Connecticut and outstanding member of the United States Capitol Police, Sergeant Carleton ``C.C.'' Jenkins. Sergeant C.C.--as he was affectionately called by the men and women he supervised--retired from the United States Capitol Police on June 30, 2000 ending a career of dedicated and distinguished service that spanned over three decades. Before arriving in Washington, Sergeant C.C. served the New Haven community in several ways. Working for the State Highway Department, the City Welfare Department, and the Redevelopment Agency of New Haven, he focused his efforts on enriching our community, building strong neighborhoods where families could raise their children. His good work made a real difference in the lives of many. An active member of the local NAACP, he brought a strong voice to Connecticut during the historical March on Washington. Drafted into the United States Army, Sergeant C.C. proudly served his country during the Vietnam war. It was upon his return from service that Sergeant C.C. decided to leave New Haven for Washington to begin his career with the United States Capitol Police. As Members of Congress, we owe a-debt of gratitude to each Capitol Police officer who protects our safety and that of the visiting public. Sergeant C.C. is certainly no exception. Joining the U.S. Capitol Police shortly after his discharge from the United States Army, Sergeant C.C. demonstrated a unique commitment to public service. The first fifteen years of his service were spent with the House of Representatives, most of those stationed at the horseshoe entrance of the Rayburn Building. With refreshing sincerity and an unforgettable smile, Sergeant C.C. made it a point to get to know Members and their staffs personally. His promotion to sergeant brought him to the Senate side of Congress where he spent the remainder of his career. Over the years, he became an irreplaceable fixture on the Hill by meeting every challenge, regardless of its difficulty, with unparalleled integrity. For thirty-one years, he has upheld and exemplified the mission of law enforcement officials--protecting and serving the people. Always dedicating his time and considerable energy to others, Sergeant C.C. continued his outstanding record of community service in Washington. For many years he served as a volunteer Director and Vice- Chairman of the Wright-Patman Congressional Federal Credit Union as well as one of the founders and directors of his local church credit union. Sergeant C.C. has dedicated his career, and indeed his life, to the betterment of his community and neighbors. Sergeant Jenkins has repeatedly distinguished himself as an outstanding public servant and citizen. I am proud to join his wife, Diane, their children, Carleton Jr. and Jason, family, friends, and colleagues to extend my best wishes for continued health and happiness in his retirement. His legacy will serve as an example for all who serve. Sergeant C.C.--New Haven is proud of you, the congressional community will miss you, and a grateful public thanks you.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to an outstanding individual whose service to our nation and the Greater New Haven community is unparalleled. Captain Barbara P. Morgan has served as the Commander of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Center in New Haven, Connecticut for the past three years and has recently announced that she will be leaving her command to attend the Naval War College. As Commander of the Reserve Center, Captain Morgan has been a driving force in involving the Reserve Center with the surrounding community, opening its doors to government agencies and community-based programs. The American Red Cross, New Haven Public School's after school program, Sea Cadets and various veteran organizations have all benefited from her generosity. Captain Morgan has been a leading advocate for the Marine Cadets of America, a very special program for the young people of Greater New Haven, to whom she has provided support as the Commanding Officer and by encouraging the entire military community to participate in the operation of the program. For twenty-two years, Captain Morgan has served in the United States Navy with honor and distinction. She has been decorated with the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal--a reflection of her remarkable career. Captain Morgan has demonstrated a unique commitment to our community--rare for an individual who has only been with us such a relatively short time. I commend her for her efforts and extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to her for her invaluable contributions. I am proud to rise today to join her husband, William, friends, colleagues, and community members to thank her for her outstanding service and wish her well as she departs for the Naval War College.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I pay tribute to an outstanding public servant and my good friend, Postmaster Sheldon Rhinehart. Sheldon's recent retirement ends a career with the United States Postal Service that has spanned nearly half a century, leaving a legacy of integrity and inspiration. In his forty-seven years with the postal service, Sheldon has been witness to a variety of changes, social as well as operational. From his start as a clerk, he moved up the ranks. As New Haven's first African-American postmaster, he is not only an example of these tremendous changes but has continually challenged the postal service to change itself. Sheldon's work has been recognized locally and nationally--a tribute to the invaluable contributions he has made. Sheldon is a strong advocate for minority groups, both professionally and personally. During his tenure, he has made room at the postal service for many with disabilities. He played a key role in the establishment of the Vision Trail from downtown New Haven to the waterfront and was a driving force in involving the Postal Service with the 1995 Special Olympic World Games held in New Haven. Sheldom has also had a primary role in developing training and social programs for the Postal Service on a nationwide basis. With his outstanding record of commitment, he has demonstrated a unique commitment to public service--leaving an indelible mark on the United States Postal Service and our community. Sheldon has shown unparalleled leadership, not only in his professional positions, but in the community as well. He is currently serving on the United Way of New Haven's Board of Directors and has served on a variety of boards within his community including the Newhallville Action Committee, the Newhallville Day Care Center and St. Luke's Episcopal Church. We are certainly fortunate to have such a committed individual working on behalf of our community. I am proud to stand today and join his wife, Carolyn, two children, Deborah and Sheldon Jr., friends, and colleagues to honor Sheldon for his good work and dedicated career. I wish him many years of continued health and happiness in his retirement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that today I pay tribute to Supervisory Special Agent Terry Shumard on the occasion of his retirement. Terry has proudly served the Federal Bureau of Investigation for thirty years--demonstrating a remarkable dedication to public service. During his career, Terry was assigned to several offices, including Miami, New York, and San Juan, before he arrived to the New Haven Division as the primary assistant to the Special Agent in Charge for the State of Connecticut, directing all administrative and investigative operations. Terry was responsible for establishing and directing the Public Affairs and Community Relations Programs throughout Connecticut. With his hard work and exceptional talent, Terry soon became the FBI's liaison to Connecticut's state and federal elected officials. It was in this capacity that I first had the opportunity to work with Terry. His expertise and commitment to the public has been an invaluable asset to both myself and my staff. Over the past year, Terry has enjoyed tremendous success as the Project Coordinator for a U.S. Department of Justice pilot program, Strategic Approaches to Community Safety Initiative (SACSI). Requiring participation from the entire community, SACSI is designed to enhance the working relationship between the U.S. Attorney's office, local elected officials and community organizations. In a collaborative effort, this coalition of leaders analyze and identify the root causes of local crime issues and design targeted strategies and interventions to prevent and reduce crime. As one of only five cities chosen nationwide to participate in this program, leadership and experience were vital to the success of this project. With his strong background with the FBI and extensive experience working with local officials, Terry was an integral part of the success of this program. His commitment has made New Haven and the State of Connecticut a safer place to raise our children and families. Terry exemplifies what is best in law enforcement and public service. I consider myself fortunate to call him my friend. For his many years of service, compassion and dedication, it is with great pride that I stand today to recognize the outstanding career of Terry Shumard and extend my best wishes to him for continued health and happiness as he retires from public service. My sincere thanks and appreciation for his many contributions to our community.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that today I pay tribute to a dedicated and highly respected member of the North Haven Police Department--and a dear friend--whose decision to retire ended a career in law enforcement which spanned thirty years. Chief Kevin J. Connolly leaves a legacy of integrity and commitment to excellence which will not be forgotten by his fellow officers or the citizens of North Haven. Kevin has dedicated nearly a third of his career to leading the Department of Police Services with dignity and commitment. He has had a profound effect on the quality of life in North Haven. Nine departmental commendations, as well as various other professional accolades from local and national agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Secret Service, reflect the commitment and devotion Kevin has given to North Haven and its residents. Throughout his career, Kevin has exemplified the best qualities we associate with law enforcement officials. I have had the distinct pleasure of working with Kevin on several issues in the time I have served in Congress. He was a tremendous help to me and my staff on the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, lending not only his knowledge and expertise, but his strong support as well. More recently he has been an invaluable resource for the many forums I have held on youth violence. As our community grapples with the pressing issue of school violence, Kevin's efforts never cease to exceed everyone's expectations. Understanding that our young people need to trust their local police force, Kevin has implemented community policing in the North Haven school district, fostering relationships with the students and curbing violence. His advocacy and hard work is a remarkable example of how law enforcement officials can partner with the community to ensure that our children are safe in their classrooms. With his outstanding record of good work, he has demonstrated a unique commitment to public service--leaving an indelible mark on the North Haven community. It is with great pride that I join with his wife, Judy, his children, Kevin, Megan and Tara, friends, colleagues, and community members to honor my good friend, Police Chief Kevin Connolly for his outstanding service to our community. I wish him many years of continued health and happiness in his retirement.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Democratic bill. While I will support the underlying legislation, and I intend to support it, I think we could build on this good bill and make it better. We should be doing more to provide a secure retirement for low and middle income workers. The Democratic substitute helps low and middle income workers by establishing Retirement Savings Accounts. RSAs would provide a refundable tax credit to low and middle income workers of up to 50 percent of the annual contributions made to a traditional IRA, or an employer-sponsored pension plan, such as a 401(k) plan. RSAs would make a real difference in the lives of workers who are struggling to build some retirement savings, but who too often find themselves falling behind. By providing a maximum credit of $1,000 for the lowest income working Americans, we can help ensure that each and every American can begin building a nest egg that will supplement their Social Security benefits in their retirement years. These are families that are struggling day to day. They deserve a little extra help in building retirement security. One recent study by the Consumer Federation of America concluded that only 44 percent of households will accumulate adequate retirement savings. The current savings rate in America is only 3.8 percent. That is not a prescription for retirement security for all Americans. The Retirement Security and Pension Reform Act takes an important step toward encouraging saving by increasing the limit on contributions to deductible IRAs from $2,000 to $5,000 by 2003. This applies for both traditional and Roth IRAs. When you consider that the original limit when we created IRAs in 1974 was $1,500, you can see why the But in and of itself, increasing the limit does not address the need of millions of Americans to save more. According to the Treasury Department, only seven percent of eligible taxpayers made any contribution to an IRA in 1995. Furthermore, only four percent of taxpayers who were eligible to make any contribution made the maximum one. People are not failing contributing to IRA because the limits are too low. They are not contributing because they do not have the wherewithal to contribute. We should increase the limits, but we should also add an RSA provision to give low income workers the benefits of an IRA and allow them to build some retirement savings. I urge my colleagues to support the Democratic substitute. I recognize the bipartisan work that has gone into developing the legislation before us today. This bill could be improved and we can do it in a bipartisan way. Support the Democratic substitute.

Ms. DeLAURO

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 10 seconds. This amendment does not provide government or taxpayer subsidies for abortion. The health care benefit, like the salary, belongs to the employee. The employee is free to choose from a health care plan that best meets their needs. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Kilpatrick). (Ms. KILPATRICK asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself 3\1/2\ minutes. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer a simple amendment to strike language in this bill that unfairly penalizes the hard-working people of the Federal Government. This language prohibits health plans that participate in the Federal employees health benefits program from covering abortion. By doing so, it denies access to complete reproductive health services to nearly 1.2 million women of childbearing age who depend on this health benefits program for their medical care. Every employee in the country has the option to choose a health care plan that covers the full range of reproductive health services, including abortion. Every employee, that is, except Federal employees. Since November 1995, Federal employees have been unable to choose a health care plan which includes coverage of this legal medical procedure. Let me make one point very clear. This amendment does not provide government or taxpayer subsidies for abortion. The health care benefit, like the salary, belongs to the employee. The employee is then free to choose from a wide range of health plans that best meet their needs and then purchase that health plan with their own money. Again, with their own money. This amendment does not mandate that any plan provide coverage for abortion against its objection. It simply allows Federal employees to have the option to purchase for themselves or their families a plan that suits their individual needs. An individual who does not want that coverage would have the choice, again the choice, not to purchase such a health plan. Unfortunately, under current law and language included in this bill, Federal employees are left with no choice if tragedy strikes. I have heard the stories of Federal employees who are faced with a crisis pregnancy. This decision to end the pregnancy was the hardest decision of their lives. When they believed that their health insurance companies would pay for this health procedure and later found out Congress had restricted this coverage, they were harassed by creditors and forced into a financial battle over one of the most personal and emotional decisions that they will ever have to make. Mr. Chairman, abortion is a legal medical procedure. That is right. No matter how many times we come to this floor and debate this issue, it remains a constitutionally protected legal medical procedure. The court just reaffirmed that a few weeks ago. Our opponents can try to chip away access to this right for young women, poor women, imprisoned women, women in the military, and in this case women who work for the Federal Government. They can write legislation that limits every nuance of this procedure and the issues surrounding it. But they have not won. Abortion is still a legal choice for women. Singling out abortion for exclusion from health care plans that cover other reproductive health care is harmful to women's health. The AMA has said that funding restrictions such as this one that delay or deter women from seeking early abortions make it more likely that women will continue a potentially health-threatening pregnancy to term. This is all the more true because the bill provides no exception for coverage of abortions when a woman's health or future fertility is at stake. I urge my colleagues to give our public servants the right to choose the health care that is best for them. I ask them to support this amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire of the remaining time on both sides?

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella)

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Meek). (Mrs. MEEK of Florida asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey). (Ms. WOOLSEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Nadler). (Mr. NADLER asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the ranking member of the committee.

Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.