PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION AND JUDICIAL LIMITATION ACT -- HON. RON PAUL
(Extensions of Remarks - February 16, 2000)
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HON. RON PAUL
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Wednesday, February 16, 2000
- Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, today I introduce the Partial birth Abortion and
Judicial Limitation Act. This bill would, in accordance with article 3,
section 2 of our United States Constitution, prohibit federal courts
(exclusive of the U.S. Supreme Court) from hearing cases relative to partial
birth abortion.
- One of the most egregious portions of the Roe versus Wade decision is that
the ruling in that case served to substitute the opinions of
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unelected judges for those of state
representatives when it comes to making abortion law. By doing this, judges
have not merely taken on the role of legislators, they have also thrust the
federal apparatus into an area that the founding fathers specifically and
exclusively entrusted to state entities. Unfortunately, this aspect of Roe
versus Wade has not received the attention that less critical portions of the
decision have received.
- The legislation I am introducing today is aimed at moving us toward
correcting this federal judicial usurpation of constitutionally identified
state authority. This legislation is needed now more than ever as certain
``lower federal courts'' have taken it upon themselves to continue the
error-ridden ways of Roe versus Wade by overturning legitimate state
restrictions on partial birth abortion.
- Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to review this new legislation and
to join me in this battle by cosponsoring this pro-life legislation.
END