Tom Lantos

Mr. LANTOS

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. DeLauro.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, let me first thank all of my colleagues on both sides of this issue for conducting an enlightening and civilized debate. Let me also specifically commend the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee) who led our side in the debate in the committee where we won the issue 26 to 22. It was a significant bipartisan vote. I would also like to pay tribute to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey), the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood), the gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays) for raising the awareness on this so-called Mexico City policy. Mr. Chairman, this is not a partisan issue. This is not a pro-choice versus pro-life issue. This is about advocating globally what we so cherish for our own citizens here at home, the right to speak freely and the right to choose wisely. I believe, Mr. Chairman, that reasonable people can and do have different views on the matter of a woman's right to choose; and I respect the views of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and on both sides of this issue. But our debate today is not about abortion. Not one dime of U.S. Government tax dollars are used for abortions overseas. Since 1973, it has been illegal to use U.S. taxpayer funds for abortions. This debate is not about funding abortions. It is about the right to free speech and the principle of an open and privileged doctor-patient relationship. We have heard from the other side repeatedly the notion of fungibility. Fungibility is a real concept. It means that, if funds are made available to purpose A, then funds become freed for purpose B. This is as true of President Bush's faith-based initiative as it is true of this issue. I think it is important that we not be hypocrites in dealing with this legislation. It is not enough to talk about human rights and democracy and free speech, it is important that we practice what we preach. I urge my colleagues strongly to vote against this amendment to save the lives of countless poor women across the globe in the most destitute countries on the face of this globe. I urge my colleagues to defeat the amendment.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the distinguished gentlewoman from Connecticut (Mrs. Johnson), my Republican friend.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to our distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my colleague, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to my friend, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson-Lee). (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to the distinguished gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Levin). (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to my friend and neighbor, the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Millender- McDonald).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to my good friend, the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Hoyer).

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

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 1 minute to my friend and colleague, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Davis). Although she has been with us only a few months, she has already made a significant contribution to the work of this House.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Shays), my good Republican friend.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Hoeffel).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Colorado (Ms. DeGette).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong opposition to this amendment because I believe it strongly undermines our support for democracy, free speech, and human rights globally. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lee), our lead speaker.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Greenwood).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Lowey).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Kirk), my distinguished Republican colleague.

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to my good friend, the gentlewoman from New York (Mrs. Maloney).

Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Chairman, I am delighted to yield 1 minute to my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley).