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Schumer Rejects New Hyde Proposal on Bankruptcy Bill

Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) rejected new attempts Tuesday by Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL) to undermine the Senate-passed version of the bankruptcy bill. Hyde’s proposal comes on the heels of a long line of attempts by anti-choice House members to undermine the abortion-related language in the Senate version of the bill, which would bar anti-abortion extremists from using bankruptcy to avoid paying civil damages incurred from anti-abortion clinic violence.

Hyde has vocally opposed the Senate language, stating that, “It is bad policy to single out a narrow class of debtors for punishment.” However, Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), author of the abortion provision, notes that the abortion-related language has already been negotiated with other anti-choice legislators, resulting in the removal of specific mention to abortion clinics and instead referring to any individuals who harass or damage “a facility providing lawful good or services.”

Schumer has also stated, “We have a broad consensus – pro-choice and pro-life – that people who use violence to shut down clinics should be stopped.” The White House has indicated that the President will sign the legislation with or without the contested language.

Sources:

Kaiser Daily Reproductive Health Report, 5/2/02; Feminist News Wire

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