[Page H312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             SUPPORTING HEALTHCARE AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

  (Ms. JOHNSON of Texas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the 
Republican reproductive healthcare surveillance act. I am from Texas. 
The last thing any Texan wants is the government telling doctors or 
women what they can or cannot do with their bodies. That is exactly 
what this bill does.
  I was in Texas in the State legislature when Texas Republicans wanted 
to pass this same bill. They wanted to use Big Government to reach into 
doctors' offices and make personal healthcare decisions on behalf of 
women in my State. These are complex medical issues, and no politician 
should interfere in the lives of women and their families.
  Doctors have medical training. Politicians don't. We must protect the 
doctor-patient relationship. Simply put, Republicans should not have a 
seat at the table in a doctor's office. It amazes me that my colleagues 
in the so-called party of small government continue to put forth bills 
that seek to control women, families, and doctors.
  I will always make sure women and families have the tools they need 
to make their own healthcare-related decisions. This misguided bill 
endangers the lives of women, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

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