Michelle Fischbach

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the Fifth District of Oklahoma (Mrs. Bice).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Reschenthaler), my good friend and colleague from the Rules Committee.

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama's Second District (Mr. Moore).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the First District of Iowa (Mrs. Hinson).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Grothman).

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Good).

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Ohio for yielding. Mr. Speaker, here we go again: about to vote on a divisive bill being pushed through by the majority without any Republican input. Disguised as accountability, this bill hinders law enforcement's ability to do their jobs, limits the readiness of law enforcement, and demonizes an entire profession for the actions of a few. A bill from my Minnesota colleague, Mr. Stauber, a former police officer himself, accomplishes many of the aims of this bill before us today, and has bipartisan support from the stakeholders involved; but Democrats rejected it, picking partisanship over real reform to help and improve law enforcement. We do not deny there is work to be done, but the path to getting it done is working together to ensure that law enforcement developed the necessary tools to keep our communities safe and protect the rights of people they serve. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' and to work on a bill that will really help law enforcement and the citizens.

Mrs. FISCHBACH

Mrs. FISCHBACH. Madam Speaker, I thank Congresswoman Hartzler for putting this together. I appreciate the opportunity in making sure the people in the country understand what is in this bill. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5, the so-called Equality Act. The reality of this bill is anything but equal. It is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to force unreasonable mandates on our institutions and restrict the liberties of the American people. If this becomes law, Americans can expect government-imposed limits on the free exercise of religious liberty, businesses forced to cover the costs of abortions, and medical providers required to perform abortions, even if it conflicts with their deeply held beliefs. Unfortunately, this is just the tip of the iceberg. So today, I rise to speak on behalf of pro-life Americans in my district and across the country who fear this legislation will be manipulated by the radical left to impose its will and create a right to abortion right up to the moment of birth. Madam Speaker, a majority of Americans support at least some restrictions on abortion, including making sure taxpayer funds are not used to fund abortions. Instead of respecting the rights of all Americans, this bill will impose a top-down abortion mandate that interferes with the State and Federal laws that protect the right to life and will force doctors, nurses, and other medical providers to participate in abortion procedures, even if it goes against their own sincerely held beliefs. The previous administration made great strides in protecting religious freedom and the liberties of all Americans. Unfortunately, the new administration does not seem to value those cherished beliefs. This bill will relegate the pro-life view to discrimination, redefine gender, and require faith-based employers to pay for abortion in their insurance offerings. Madam Speaker, I oppose this legislation on behalf of the unborn who do not have a voice. I oppose this legislation on behalf of my constituents, many of whom hold beliefs that are in conflict with this bill's radical ideology. And I oppose this bill on behalf of the millions of Americans who know that life is a God-given gift worth fighting for. Madam Speaker, I oppose this bill and ask Members to do the same.