Norton Thanks President for Acknowledging D.C.-Only Provision in Abortion Bill Undermines Home Rule
WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) expressed her thanks to President Obama for the White House's Statement of Administration Policy on H.R. 7, released today, which criticizes a provision targeting the District of Columbia, saying it "undermines home rule." The provision would permanently prohibit the city from spending its local funds on abortion services for low-income women, and would define the D.C. government as part of the federal government for the purposes of abortion. Norton thanked several Democrats on the House Rules Committee – Ranking Member Louise Slaughter (D-NY) as well as Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Alcee Hasting (D-FL) – for speaking eloquently in favor of the District's right to self-government at the Committee's hearing today on H.R. 7. Norton also thanked Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) for speaking to the unfairness of the bill to the District, during their testimony at the hearing. At the hearing, Norton testified on the bill and offered an amendment to strike the D.C.-only provision. Her amendment is expected to fail. In addition to the D.C.-only provision, the bill contains other provisions Norton strongly opposes, including restricting women's access to abortion coverage in the private insurance marketplace. While the bill is expected to pass the House, as it did last Congress, Norton will continue to work with her Senate colleagues to again defeat it. The bill is expected to go to the House floor on Tuesday or Wednesday.
"D.C. was in good company today as the White House and several members of Congress joined me in pointing up the unique inequality of the D.C. provision," said Norton. "I was gratified to receive such strong outspoken support from my colleagues. Their remarks can only strengthen opposition to the bill as it moves to the Senate."
The full text of Norton's testimony, as prepared for delivery, can be seen at https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-to-testify-on-abortion-bill-and-offer-amendment-to-strike.
Published: January 27, 2014