Schakowsky Statement on PRENDA

Washington, D.C. (May 31, 2012) — Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) released the following statement after voting against H.R. 3541, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA) of 2012:

"If you ask American women where gender discrimination affects them most, they will say in their paychecks, but today Republicans brought to the floor a bill that addresses a non-existent problem in the United States and refused to allow a vote on a bill that would truly benefit women, the Paycheck Fairness Act.

Today, Republicans proposed a bill that is a blatant red herring. H.R. 3541, includes a provision that would allow a woman's husband or parents — by merely alleging that an abortion is because of gender — to seek injunctive relief to prevent the doctor from performing abortion procedures, sending an incredibly private, personal decision into the courts and potentially forcing women to go through with a pregnancy. This legislation is simply another excuse to roll back the clock on women's health and trample on civil rights.

If the Republican majority really wanted to address gender discrimination, they would bring up the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act. On the very same day that they refused to bring up the Paycheck Fairness Act, their claim to care about gender discrimination rings hollow.

American women will not be fooled. I vehemently reject this dangerous and discriminatory bill that would limit women's health care options....

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Adjoa Adofo, (202) 225-2111