Cathy McMorris Rodgers

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, continuing to stand, celebrating life, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, standing for life, standing as someone who has carried a baby and lost a baby, standing and continuing to celebrate life, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Schweikert), a champion for life.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, as we continue to celebrate life, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Mrs. McClain).

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, continuing to celebrate life, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Smith), the biggest champion of all.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, such a sad day. It is beautiful outside, the Sun is shining. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Mrs. Fischbach), a champion for life.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Pence), a champion for life.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Harshbarger), a champion for life.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Walberg), a colleague from the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx), a classmate and a champion for life.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Bucshon), a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today praying that this House will be defenders of truth, humility, and justice. I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 3755. The abortion on demand until birth act is extreme. Abortion for any reason, at any stage of pregnancy, until birth, is not the will of the American people. I spoke with a pediatric cardiologist just this week who shared with me what is possible today. It is just amazing, because of technology, what is possible. We all know that we can look into the womb and see the development of the baby day by day, week by week. This cardiologist told me that, today, doctors perform prenatal surgeries and treatments to save lives. He said doctors can perform surgeries on 20 different organs. That wasn't possible in 1973 when Roe v. Wade was decided. In fact, the first successful fetal surgery wasn't until 1982, many decades later. Look how far we have come. Science has evolved. It is my hope that we will learn from this and come to reject abortion because it is inhumane; it is not following the science; and it doesn't reflect the latest research or modern medicine. Abortion is the sharpest soul-searching question before us as a Nation. This question pierces every heart. People have strongly held beliefs and stories, and both sides are guilty of dismissing one another. For those of us who stand for life, we must do a better job of listening and loving. Fear and despair are only leading to more arguments, anger, discord, and insecurity. For me, personally, I have never had an abortion, but I gave thoughts in my younger years as to what I would do if I found myself pregnant and alone. It would have been a desperate situation. I can imagine abortion seeming like an easy solution. It breaks my heart, though, to think that anyone would consider abortion as their only option or the best option. Growing up, I was not much of a baby person. I was 35 and single when I was elected to Congress, and I didn't even know if being a mom was part of my future. Today, I can testify that bringing a new life into the world is the most amazing thing ever. It is the best part of life. We have two daughters and a son, Cole, Grace, and Brynn. Cole, now 14, was born with the most common chromosomal abnormality. It is called Down syndrome. When he was born, the doctors gave us a long list of challenges and chances for heartache. I understand the uncertainty. I understand the fear. But I couldn't imagine my life without Cole. His life is worth living. Yet, in this debate, Down syndrome has been at the forefront. Just yesterday, a woman named Heidi with Down syndrome lost her court challenge against the British Government over its law allowing abortion up until birth for babies with Down syndrome. This cannot become America's future, where we cherish life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all. Like in the U.K., the bill before us is discriminatory. It allows for abortions based on a baby's sex, race, or disability. It would override counseling requirements that protect women from coercion from people who have abused them. It would prohibit laws designed to protect against sex trafficking and the exploitation of young girls and women. It would weaken protections for medical professionals who have religious objections to abortion. Despite what the majority says, this bill does not codify Roe v. Wade. This is radical. Under this bill, viability is whatever the abortionist deems it to be. I urge all of my colleagues today to stop the abortion on demand until birth act. Open your minds to science, technology. Look and see the mysteries of the mother's womb. Open your ears to the cries of the unborn. May hearts break and may we celebrate life. Let's uphold the value, the dignity, and the potential of every life. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Hartzler), who has fought for life so long.

Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bilirakis), ranking member of a subcommittee on Energy and Commerce.