Condemning Violence

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, 2 weeks ago, I stood on this very House floor and I voted to condemn violence at crisis pregnancy centers. A vote that was difficult to make, not because I think it was wrong to condemn violence, I don't.

Rather, it was difficult as an American to watch this governing body politicize the ideas of civility and decency that should be undoubtedly woven through every last one of us.

Mr. Speaker, I stand before you to condemn violence again, this time at an abortion clinic. I stand before you to acknowledge the violent attack at the Planned Parenthood in Illinois last week. The cowardly arson attack, a firebomb, damaged the building just days after abortion protections were signed into law in Illinois.

Let there be no mistake, this was clearly intended to terrorize women, girls, their families, and the medical professionals who serve them from exercising reproductive freedoms.

Now, I ask my Republican colleagues to join me as I have joined them in condemning violence and this violent attack. From this day forward, I invite all Americans to unequivocally say that we must restore civility and decency in every corner of our Nation because violence is never the answer ever.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source