On July 15, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing, “The Women’s Health Protection Act (S.1696): Removing Barriers to Constitutionally Protected Reproductive Rights.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the bill’s sponsor, chaired at the hearing.
In his opening remarks, Sen. Blumenthal said, “This legislation would eliminate limitations on access to abortion services and eliminate the targeting and unwarranted restrictions against abortion providers and clinics…This bill is about stopping laws that purport to be about health when really they interfere with the doctor-patient relationship and [have] the effect…of harming women and limiting constitutionally protected rights.”
Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) said, “This legislation would jeopardize and nullify hundreds of laws that protect both mothers and their unborn children.” Rep. Blackburn added, “Reasonable legislation, like the Pain-Capable Unborn-Child Protection Act [H.R. 1797], would protect the lives of children and safeguard women from exploitation…I urge the Senate to consider positive and mainstream legislation, like the Pain-Capable Unborn-Child Protection Act.”
The following witnesses also testified:
