FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Wednesday, April 5, 2000

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact:

Jon Brandt, press secretary

(202) 225-4928 or (202) 225-4401 work

Veto-proof, bipartisan majority in U.S. House votes 287-141 to approve ban

WASHINGTON – Congressman Pete Hoekstra Wednesday joined a bipartisan majority of U.S. House of Representatives members in voting to ban the gruesome procedure known as partial birth abortion.

House members voted 287-141 to approve H.R. 3660, which bans performance of a partial-birth abortion at any point in pregnancy, unless it is necessary to save a mother’s life. A total of 209 Republicans, 77 Democrats and one independent supported the measure. The bill now moves to a conference committee to work out differences with a Senate-approved version of the bill.

"By voting to end this practice, we send the message that life is important, that children are important and that families are important," said Hoekstra, R-Holland. "Over and over again, Congress has voted to outlaw this terrible procedure and each time this legislation has been vetoed by the President. I hope that by once again expressing our opinion on this issue we can make President Clinton understand that life is sacred."

H.R. 3660 is supported by a number of organizations including the American Medical Association and the National Right to Life Committee. In spite of this support, President Clinton has twice vetoed the legislation. The House has considered and approved similar legislation six times since 1995, supported by Hoekstra each time.

  "This issue is too important to give up on," Hoekstra said. "Each time it comes to the floor we send a message to President Clinton and others that barbaric procedures like this will not be tolerated by a civilized society. We value life and our children. It’s time the Clinton-Gore Administration placed the same value on human life."