“Today the House of Representatives voted to defund the federal agencies and personnel that are trying to implement health reform, which is the greatest advance for women’s health in a generation — and followed that by voting to defund Planned Parenthood and Title X family planning services, which are the sole source of health care for millions of young women in this nation.

If these measures were to prevail, unintended pregnancies in this country would skyrocket, fewer women would be screened for reproductive tract cancers, and women’s health would suffer terribly. Planned Parenthood clinics in communities across the country would be at risk for closing.

This is a day that no woman, and no compassionate or fair-minded American, will soon forget.

These shameful and shocking actions are motivated by an extremist, anti-woman agenda that is badly out-of-touch with the majority of Americans.

Assuming that, as expected, the House passes the legislation to which these callous and draconian amendments are attached, we must count on the United States Senate to reject them, and on the President to stand steady and strong on behalf of women.

Today may be a tipping point when Americans recognize how dangerous it is to have anti-choice, anti-woman leaders who want to turn back the clock in the House of Representatives. We commend Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) for having the courage to share her painful personal story, and for underscoring what is at stake with these votes. It is especially appalling that a majority of her colleagues voted to take away women’s health care, following her powerful testimonial.”