Protecting All Children, Born and Unborn

Floor Speech

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week marks 51 years since the Roe v. Wade decision was issued by the U.S. Supreme Court. Since that time, Americans have worked tirelessly to see that decision overturned.

As a doctor, I swore an oath to first do no harm and to protect the sanctity of human life. Here in Congress, we also swore an oath to protect our country and our citizens. That means that we must stand for human life.

This week, we will vote on legislation to block a proposed Biden administration rule that would prohibit States from giving funding to pregnancy resource centers that support the lives of both mothers and their unborn children.

At 9 weeks of age, a baby has begun to form facial features, fingernails, and toes. At 20 weeks, a baby can hear their mother's voice. It is clear that these are children.

In Congress, it is our duty to protect the lives of the vulnerable. This week, let's join together and fight to protect all children, both born and unborn. Fentanyl Continues to Permeate Into The United States

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Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week the Pennsylvania State Police released a report outlining the amount of illegal drugs that have been seized in Pennsylvania during arrests in 2023. The facts of this report are shocking, showing that over 240 pounds of fentanyl were seized in the past year compared to 35 pounds of heroin.

These statistics represent a dangerous new reality for our communities, that fentanyl and its analogues, which can be fatal in incredibly small doses, are now readily accessible and widespread throughout the State of Pennsylvania.

Right now, lives are at stake as this poison continues to permeate into the United States. As I travel throughout central and southwestern Pennsylvania, I have heard from coroners who tell me that these drugs are very easy to get and very fast to kill.

It is time for the Senate to immediately take up the HALT Fentanyl Act and permanently classify these drugs as schedule I narcotics and create strict penalties for the cartels and for the dealers who traffic them.

Mr. Speaker, we cannot afford to stand by as our constituents are killed by fentanyl poisonings.

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