2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For Condemning ICE For Referring Detainees For
Hysterectomies And Other Unnecessary Invasive Gynecological
Procedures. In October 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for a resolution that
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "express that the House of
Representatives condemns the performance of unwanted and unnecessary
medical procedures on individuals without their full, informed consent
-- particularly with regard to the Immigration and Customs
Enforcement's Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Ga. It would
express that 'everyone deserves to control their own reproductive
choices and make informed choices about their bodies' and that further
accountability and transparency is necessary to protect people in
custody of ICE. The resolution would call on the Homeland Security
Department to pause the removal of individuals who experienced any
medical procedure at the Irwin County Detention Center; allow
individuals who may have experienced an unnecessary or nonconsensual
procedure to have immediate access to appropriate medical treatment;
comply with investigation and records requests related to the detention
center; ensure that impacted individuals are able to participate in
investigations; and hold individuals involved accountable." The vote was
on passage. The House passed the resolution by a vote of 232-157.
[House Vote 217,
10/2/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 10/2/20;
Congressional Actions, H.Res
1153]
The Resolution Comes After Allegations That Detainees At The Irwin
County Detention Center Received Hysterectomies And Other
Gynecological Procedures Without Fully Understanding Or Consenting
To Them. According to the New York Times, "The Department of
Homeland Security is investigating allegations that immigrant women
detained at a privately run detention center in Georgia underwent
gynecological procedures without fully understanding or consenting
to them. [...] The complaint details medical procedures ordered or
undertaken by a physician who has treated patients detained at the
Irwin County Detention Center, which is run by a private company,
LaSalle Corrections, On Ocilla, Ga. The nurse, Dawn Wooten, claims
in the complaint that several women detained at the facility told
her their uteruses had been removed without their consent." [New
York Times,
9/16/20]
Republicans Voted Against The Resolution, Claiming They Were
Awaiting The Results Of An Official Investigation. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., argued
Democrats must 'take a step back' and await the results of official
investigations underway." [Congressional Quarterly,
10/7/20]