On the Wrong Side of Protecting the Rights of Women

REP. VIRGINIA FOXX (R-NC)

Even though the 30-year-old Hyde Amendment already bans taxpayer dollars from being spent on abortions, and numerous “conscience clauses” allow doctors and health care professionals to refuse to perform them, Republicans have insisted that more stringent measures are necessary to ensure, in the words of Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), “that no taxpayer dollars flow to health care plans that cover abortion and no health care worker has to participate in abortions against their will.”

In their latest assault on women’s health, this week House Republicans passed the HR 358, the ironically titled “Protect Life Act.” Opponents have rechristened the measure the “Let Women Die” bill because it would allow hospitals that receive federal funds to turn away a woman seeking an abortion in all circumstances, even if an abortion is necessary to save her life.

On the House floor, Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) explained why she believed “The Protect Life Act” was a step backward for women’s reproductive rights. On the other side Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) denied that this bill that would allow hospitals to refuse treatment to pregnant women was misogynist, adding that “nobody has ever fought more for the rights of women than I have.”

WATCH:

Who is Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) ?

In 2009, Rep. Virginia Foxx announced that “there are no Americans who don’t have healthcare“. Recently in 2011, Rep. Foxx introduced an amendment to a House spending bill to cut breast-feeding support funds for low-income women who never learned how to breast-feed. In the past six years, Foxx has voted against abortion rights at least nine times.

Foxx probably believes her claim that she is fighting for women's rights, because she believes that “abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women.” But in her push to remove choice, she is also doing a great disservice to not only women but to humanity. In her zeal to protect a life she will ultimately cause the death of many women.

Who's right? Rep. Foxx may be on the political right of the issues, but she on the wrong side of protecting the rights or the life of a woman!