Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Fischbach (MN-07) was invited to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee to defend life and the pro-life community. You can watch the congresswoman's full statement here.
Remarks as prepared for delivery:
"Hello, and thank you for inviting me. I have been representing western Minnesotans in Congress since 2021, but I represented them at the state level for much longer. I have also been a part of the pro-life community, helping women choose life, for my entire life.
"Senators, most Americans agree there should be limitations on abortion. According to a 2023 Harvard-Harris national poll, 73% of American voters oppose abortion after 15 weeks, meaning most Americans agree there should be limitations on abortion. The Republican position is not extreme.
"The position of many elected Democrats, however, is extreme. Every Democrat on this Committee voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would allow abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy. Only 10% of voters support this position. The fact is that Democrats are catering to the voices of the extreme fringe and are not listening to the American people.
"Republicans care deeply about the unborn child and the mother. We are looking at every opportunity to empower women to choose life and introducing legislation in support of that aim. For example, this Congress I introduced the HOPE Act. This bill arms women with knowledge, helps them access the resources they need to confidently carry their pregnancy to term, and provides resources for any expectant mother to support them throughout and after their pregnancy.
"I also introduced legislation to ensure TANF dollars could continue to go to pregnancy centers. This bill passed the House, but Democrats fought against it, and it became clear they fought so hard because the only option they want women to have is abortion. The display was repugnant and frankly belittling to women everywhere.
"Democrats can spin their stories and confuse the issues all they want. They can try to mislead Americans into thinking that Dobbs has anything to do with IVF or the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision. They can try to pretend like Republicans are launching an “assault on reproductive freedoms.” But they hide behind false narratives like this to drive their political agenda and to conceal deeply troubling features of their pro-abortion agenda. We do not have to look any further than some of the bills being discussed here today, such as S. 701 or S. 3612.
"These bills would allow abortion on demand until birth. They permit things like human cloning and very problematic forms of genetic engineering. These bills also preempt all state laws and completely destroy anyone’s religious right not to participate in abortions or other practices they find to be morally objectionable. These measures are extreme. They put us in the same camp as countries like North Korea and China.
"Senators, I understand the majority here today is looking to paint Republicans as monsters who want to take freedoms away from women in this country. I assure you nothing is further from the truth. My Republican colleagues and those in the pro-life community agree with most Americans, and we are deeply understanding of the challenges expectant mothers face. We stand with them and are doing everything we can to empower these women to confidently choose life.
"Thank you."
