Westbank Louisiana News

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks during a Democrat-led hearing on abortion.

Cassidy’s speech as prepared for delivery included the following points:

"Thank you, Chair Sanders.

Let’s table set: This is an election year in which a Democrat incumbent president is running behind. So, there's been a decision to raise abortion to such a high profile. This is partisan politics being played out in this committee hearing.

My Democratic colleagues called this hearing to tell you what Republicans believe about abortion. They will attempt to normalize the decision to abort a child. You cannot normalize a procedure in which the intent is to end a life. Do not be misled.

I look at this completely differently. I prioritize the relationship between mother and child, and all life, period.

As a physician, I care about the life of every patient that comes through my door whether I can see them or not. The second that baby gets air, it doesn’t matter how small, how unsustainable, how weak – doctors are trained to do everything possible to save their life. You would want every physician to do that. I believe the responsibility to protect and save that child should not be determined based on the arbitrary difference of being inside or outside of the womb.

I am unapologetically pro-life. Scientifically and morally, there is no difference in the value of a child whether she is in her mother’s arms or her mother’s womb. The science is clear. That is not a clump of cells. That is a life. A life that has inherent value and dignity. A life that matters.

How can we dehumanize children like the ones depicted behind me?

This is a hard conversation. It should be. At what point do my Democratic colleagues believe this is a child that deserves to live?

It does a disservice to women to dehumanize the unborn child and discuss this child only as a right to abort or not to abort."

Cassidy continued by acknowledging exceptions under certain circumstances but emphasized his stance against normalizing abortion:

"I understand and accept the need for exceptions to laws that regulate abortion under certain circumstances... But terminating life does not spare a woman from potential grief... If it [abortion] is [an easy decision], we have lost our moral compass."

He criticized fearmongering surrounding miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies:

"As a physician... How dare such a vulnerable moment in a woman’s life be misrepresented... There is no law in any state preventing doctors from treating women going through miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy..."

Cassidy also addressed perceived misinformation by Democrats regarding Republican positions on abortion:

"While it’s disappointing that my colleagues outright lie... it’s also reprehensible that they mislead Americans on Democrats' own extreme views."

He concluded with legislative criticisms and proposals for supporting women:

"There are nine states plus Washington D.C., whose laws right now allow for abortion right up until birth... Can Democrats tell me at what point in pregnancy it should no longer be acceptable?"

Senator Cassidy emphasized ongoing efforts for maternal health support through various legislative measures he has worked on with other senators:

"I’ve supported post-partum coverage for women in Medicaid... We want women -- mothers -- to be healthy..."

In closing remarks:

"I am open to tough conversation... This must be held with respect for both mother and unborn child."

For updates from HELP Republicans visit their website or Twitter @GOPHELP.

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