House dome (Photo – house.gov)
The House of Representatives today voted to make access to abortion care a federally protected right.
By News Desk
The Women’s Health Protection Act, introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Lois Franke (D-FL), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Veronica Escobar (D-TX), would guarantee equal access to abortion, everywhere and would prevent extreme anti-choice laws like the recent bans passed in Texas and Mississippi. Before this morning’s vote, WHPA’s sponsors were joined at a press conference with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), co-chairs of the Pro-Choice Caucus.
Rep. Chu, lead sponsor of WHPA, said:
Today’s historic vote has been a long time coming. For decades, Roe v. Wade has guaranteed everyone the right to access safe abortion care, regardless of background. And for decades, anti-abortion extremists have been devising new ways to put that right out of reach. That has left many – mainly low-income people of color – left to fear that every new anti-choice law could be the one that finally puts abortion access out of reach for them, or their daughters. That is why we are fighting back to put a stop to these attacks once and for all. With today’s historic vote, we are ensuring that access to abortion care is a right, no matter where you live. This is a choice about our bodies and our lives that must be left to us and our doctors, not to right-wing politicians.
“This is a historic day for women and a victory for reproductive rights. Texas’ extreme abortion law is the latest attempt to control and oppress women’s decision over their bodies,” said Rep. Garcia, co-chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. “I am honored to join my colleagues in taking a major step toward protecting Roe v. Wade and the freedom of millions of women to decide over their bodies and their destinies. Women’s access to a safe and legal abortion should be the floor not the ceiling.”
This Article was mentioned on brid.gy