WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18) delivered the following remarks today at an Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing titled, "Roe Reversal: The Impacts of Taking Away the Constitutional Right to an Abortion":

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Thank you for having this all-important hearing today and to the witnesses that have spent the better part of the day now with us.

I recently had a constituent named Madeleine that wrote to me to tell her story about being denied an abortion later in her pregnancy after a severe and fatal fetal malformation was discovered.

Instead of receiving the services that could have helped her avoid mental anguish and physical complications, she was forced to give birth by C-section despite knowing that her baby would not survive. She watched her child die in her arms.

My constituent wrote, "Childbearing is risky business, and restricting abortion unavoidably compromises the healthcare of people who can get pregnant."

Now, Republicans are inserting themselves into the most personal decisions that women should be trusted to make themselves. You know, this is all coming from a party that says "small government," "little to no regulation," "keep government out of people's lives."

And there you are doing what you're doing.

The Supreme Court has unleashed chaos and confusion across our country. This is hurtful to people.

I believe that not one of us, as Members of Congress, no policymakers, no politicians should be involved in this.

This is not the government's business. This is personal…[it is] up to people, their faith, their beliefs and their understanding of what they need.

I want to thank the Chairwoman, the members.

I think this is causing a great deal of pain across the country.

I want to thank the AMA for stepping out because the doctors in our country are questioning as to whether they can be arrested, whether they can be criminalized in their health care practice …and I know the Republicans have said "this is not health care" well then, excuse my English, what the hell is it?

It is health care for women. Like it or not, it is health care.

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