STATEMENT
of the
Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Member
House Committee on Small Business
The Hearing on "Freedom of Conscience for Small Pharmacies"
July 25, 2005

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

We have come together on a Monday morning to discuss an issue that has absolutely nothing to do with the jurisdiction of the House Small Business committee - nor is it even a small business issue.

I must say that as the Ranking Member of this committee, I am appalled that we would even hold a hearing on a woman's right to receive contraception, and as a female Member of Congress, I am even more outraged.

This is insensitive to not only the women that sit on this committee, but also to women across the country. Whether or not a small pharmacy in any state chooses to fill prescriptions for birth control - is not an issue for this committee to decide upon. It is a women's rights issue - her right to access health care, and her right to live her life as she pleases.

The Supreme Court has been strong in upholding that women have the right to access birth control - this is a basic right. The American Medical Association - one of the most respected, and nonpartisan organizations - has also stated that this right of access should not be impeded, and that this is critical to women's health. Clearly, pharmacists should not be using their discretion when there is a valid prescription for any drug, and they should not be able to pick and choose between which types of contraception they will distribute.

I find it to be very ironic that while Republicans are so fixed on ensuring that the federal government does not infringe upon individuals' rights - that when it comes to the rights of women, they are anything but hesitant to impose their guidelines. Whether it be on an individual's right to choose, or a woman's right to access health care - the bottom line is that these rights must always be protected.

What is happening today is quite clear. This committee is being used as a tool to push the conservative ideological agenda of one person forward. No where do these protections and rights fall under the jurisdiction of the Small Business Committee.

Let me tell you - to even think that an issue of this scope - that impacts women across the United States and their access to contraception and health care - should be handled during a Small Business Committee hearing, is simply a disgrace.

What will be next for this committee - while we talk about women and contraception, why not start talking about men and their ability to access Viagra? It simply makes no sense that when there are so many pressing issues for the small business community today - all of which desperately need the attention of Congress - this committee chooses to spend its time focusing on women's rights issues.

Between skyrocketing healthcare costs, small businesses having to pay high fees to use lending programs, and a venture capital program that has been shut down now for nine months - there are clearly areas that this committee needs to address.

This is also coming from a committee that has not passed a legitimate bipartisan SBA reauthorization bill since 2001. While these initiatives are clearly not moving forward - we sit here and talk about a women's right issue.

With all that is going on in the small business community today -before we start addressing issues outside of our jurisdiction, we need to address the pressing issues we do have jurisdiction over.

I am not saying that the issues we will be addressing today - a woman's right to access health care - is not of the utmost importance. It is just that I do not believe that the House Small Business Committee is the most appropriate venue for a women's right issue to be heard in.

Thank you.

 

 

 

 

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