Washington, D.C. — Energy and Commerce Committee Republican Leader Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) delivered the following remarks in today’s Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee hearing on protecting life and the Democrats’ radical and extreme agenda for abortion for all nine months.

Excerpts and highlights from her prepared remarks:

ROE NEVER SETTLED THE ISSUE OF ABORTION

“I expect a lot of discussion today about quote, ‘codifying Roe,’ so I want to be very clear.

“Roe v. Wade never settled the issue of abortion.

“For decades, it divided America in unimaginable ways over the sharpest, most soul-searching issue before us a nation.

“Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg said herself in 1985, that it has ‘provoked, not resolved, conflict.’

“She was right then, and those words are true today.”

AMAZING MEDICAL ACHIEVEMENTS FOR BABIES IN THE WOMB

“Further, the Roe decision never kept up with the science.

“Because of technology today we can see a baby develop day-by-day.

“Doctors perform prenatal surgeries to treat babies as patients in the womb and save their lives.

“That wasn’t possible in 1973 when Roe was decided. Decades later look how far we’ve come.

“The first successful fetal surgery wasn’t until 1981.

“In 2002, three American hospitals led the way in the MOMS trial to see if babies diagnosed with spina bifida had a better quality of life after birth if they had surgery while in the womb.

“As Stat News reported, doctors stopped the trial early because the results were so conclusive—fetal surgery was better for babies and their ability to walk later in life.

“As of 2011, fetal surgery for this diagnosis is the standard of care.

“In addition, the world’s first successful fetal heart surgery was in 2016.

“Doctors removed a fast-growing heart tumor from a baby inside the womb at 6 months.

“Surely, these are medical achievements the American Medical Association celebrated to save lives, so I’m disappointed you are here today to advocate for an agenda for more abortion.

“Roe doesn’t reflect the latest research or modern medicine.

“The science has evolved. We should be learning from this and come to reject abortion because it is inhumane.”

THE GREATEST QUESTION FOR OUR GENERATION

“Now, nearly 50 years after Roe, the Supreme Court has affirmed the American people’s right to speak through their elected officials and enact laws to protect unborn children.

“So, the question is upon us. How do we want to define the human rights issue of our generation?

“Is it by dehumanizing life and promoting a culture that destroys the most vulnerable among us?

“Or is it by making abortion unthinkable by leading a new era that celebrates the science and every person’s God-given unalienable human rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all.”

ABORTIONS FOR ALL NINE MONTHS

“Unfortunately, the Democrats are choosing a path of more pain, insecurity, and dehumanization.

“Last week, Democrats passed the Abortion on Demand Until Birth Act and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act.

“This agenda is not about codifying Roe v. Wade. The Democrats’ extreme abortion agenda goes far beyond that.

“While my colleagues across the aisle talk about 1973, this is the future they want to create in America:

“Abortions for all nine months of pregnancy.

“Unrestricted abortions for any reason including based on race, sex, and disability.

“The elimination of people with Down syndrome.

“The destruction of pro-life pregnancy centers providing health care and helping women and their babies.

“The denial of science and amazing medical achievements.

“And, doctors and health care providers forced to violate their sincerely held beliefs and perform abortions.

“There is nothing about this agenda that celebrates human rights or the dignity of every person.

“This is not how I define a free and just society for my daughters and my son.”

HUMAN RIGHTS FOR THE UNBORN

“Every person—born and unborn—has human rights. It’s self-evident and for America to be a more perfect union, our laws must reflect that.

“I hope that today, we can have a more informed discussion about how we can build a better future, so women and their babies have the love, care, and support they need at every stage of life.

“Let’s come together to help the most marginalized in society, especially the weakest and most vulnerable who don’t have a voice.

“I want to thank and recognize, Dr. Christina Francis, with the American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs.

“Your expertise is valued, and I’m grateful you are here today to dispel the fear and misinformation President Biden and Democrats are spreading to promote abortion for all nine months.

“Women everywhere deserve the truth.”