Choice

I'm sitting in the gallery of the Maine House right now - it's almost 5:00 and I plan to be here for several more hours. 

I think about the choices I've made in the last several weeks as I've testified before the Judiciary Committee, helped prepare others to testify, spoken with members of the media and members of our legislature. 

And I think about a choices I hope to make in the future - the choice to carry a child in order to start a family with my partner. When that time comes, I hope we can go to our health care provider and have a thoughtful and private discussion about our options. I hope that throughout my pregnancy, I remain healthy. At the end, I hope I give birth to a healthy baby. In the event that something goes wrong, I hope we will have the choice to terminate the pregnancy in a safe way.

My choices today and in the future are the result of the countless people who have come before me, people who have defended a woman's right to choose. I am thankful for their work. I am discouraged that we still must defend the right to choose, but I am proud to join forces with women and men I deeply respect to protect these rights.

Tonight, the House will take up 3 anti-choice bills. And we'll be here to watch the debate and votes on all 3. It is a emotional debate, and hopefully a respectful one. We'll keep you posted.