CONGRESSWOMAN BARBARA LEE DENOUNCES HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT
Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Lee today expressed disappointment at House passage of H.R. 503, The Unborn
Victims of Violence Act, by a vote of 252-172, with one Member voting present.
H.R. 503 classifies a fertilized egg, zygote, blastocyst, embryo
or fetus as a separate entity for purpose of federal law. It creates
a separate offense for criminal acts that cause death or bodily harm to
the "unborn," separating out and making it possible to
ignore the injury to the woman as well as the violence directed at her.
The real goal of this legislation is not to deter and punish
criminal conduct but to undermine Roe v. Wade by establishing a system
of separate legally enforceable rights for the "unborn"
to the detriment of women’s privacy and equal protection rights.
"This full-scale assault on a women’s right to choose is dangerous and it is wrong. As a woman, I am deeply offended and
angry," said Lee. "First President Bush reinstated the Global Gag Rule
as one of his first actions in office and now we have the
Unborn Victims of Violence Act. Where is the compassion for women?"
Nearly one in every three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. H.R. 503 does
nothing to address the epidemic of domestic violence. According to domestic violence experts, it could make matters worse for
women by focusing on crimes to an embryo or fetus while ignoring the woman who has been harmed.
"I deplore acts of violence against women, and stand as the strongest of advocates against domestic violence and domestic
abuse; however, while this legislation claims to protect pregnant
women, the reality is that it will harm women," said Lee. "If
Congress wants to ensure safe pregnancies for both mothers and babies, we should be passing legislation to increase access
to prenatal care and to support and strengthen WIC nutrition and food stamp programs."
Congresswoman Lee supported the Motherhood Protection Act, an amendment offered by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA)
that recognizes the pregnant women as the primary victim of a crime that causes a termination of a pregnancy, thereby deterring
violence against women. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 196 - 229.
"Lofgren’s substitute amendment recognizes the pregnant woman as the primary victim of a crime, but also allows for further
punishment if that woman’s pregnancy is ended as a result of the attack," said Lee. "It is tougher on crimes against women
without weakening our reproductive freedom."
Lee urged the Senate to recognize H.R. 503 for what it is: a
misguided initiative, dangerous and harmful to women's rights, and
to vote no on any legislation that undermines a woman’s right to
choose.
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