For nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade ensured that women in our country had the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions. In 2022, this fundamental right was stripped away by the Supreme Court as part of the extreme MAGA Republican plan to outlaw contraception, march us toward a nationwide abortion ban and punish women and doctors.
After Roe v. Wade was overturned, I issued the following statement:
“The decision by the runaway, radical, right wing Supreme Court majority to take away the long-held right to have an abortion is an assault on freedom, the Constitution and the values shared by a majority of Americans.
The callous detonation of Roe v. Wade by six unelected Judges is part of an extreme Republican plan to criminalize abortion and wipe out access to contraception nationwide. It is extreme to eliminate abortion access everywhere. It is extreme to impose government-mandated pregnancies and get between a decision that should be made by a woman and her doctor. It is extreme to force the views of a radical minority on the vast majority of Americans who cherish freedom. It is extreme to unleash bounty hunters on the women of America.
House Democrats have acted to stop this Republican scheme and protect the freedom to access reproductive health care because we trust the American people and their doctors to make the best family decision. Extreme Republicans who continue to block House-passed legislation that protects abortion access nationwide do not want women to have the freedom to make their own health care decisions.
In the days and weeks that follow, we will organize the supporters of freedom like never before seen on this deeply personal issue. Vote like your life depends on it, because the quality of life for millions of Americans hangs in the balance. The battle lines have been drawn. We will never surrender.”
Following the Supreme Court ruling, House Democrats passed H.R.3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2021. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to pass it. This bill would codify Roe v. Wade and establish the legal right for individuals to access abortion care, without restriction. I am proud to have voted for the bill in 2022 and to co-sponsor it again this Congress.
A woman’s health care decisions should be between her, her family and her doctor. Freedom in America will not be realized until reproductive freedom is guaranteed. House Democrats will continue to defend access to contraception and in vitro fertilization, crush the extreme MAGA Republican effort to criminalize abortion care and fight until the Women’s Health Protection Act is the law of the land.
To learn more about reproductive health care, please visit the Department of Health and Human Services Know Your Rights website.
