Fighting for the Right to Choose

 

We are witnessing an alarming escalation in the assault on women’s reproductive rights.

 

Since my arrival in Congress, I have worked to protect the constitutional right to abortion.

My voting record in Congress has consistently earned me 100% ratings from NARAL Pro Choice America and Planned Parenthood for over a decade.

 

I am also a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, which addresses important issues affecting the right to choice.

 

Below are some of the recent issues I have been working on in Congress to fight for the right to choice.

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The on-going assault on women’s reproductive rights took a dramatic turn when the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, the landmark decision that protected a pregnant woman's liberty to choose to have an abortion.

The decision to strike down Roe was appalling and outrageous. It unravels a half-century of precedent and endangers women everywhere.

Following the striking down of Roe, I spoke to protestors who gathered outside of the Supreme Court to tell them how our fight to protect 50 years of progress is far from over. Watch the full speech here.

As the Court fails the American people, Congress must step up to codify abortion rights and protect those in states where the right to choose will be criminalized. 

I introduced the Medical Travel Assistance to Protect Women's Right to Choose Act that would help cover travel expenses for any resident of a state that restricts abortion services to travel to a state where abortion services are less restricted. 

While we fight to codify abortion rights into law, my bill will help Americans navigate within this unprecedented assault on basic freedoms.

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As more states attempt to unconstitutionally impede a woman’s right to choose following the striking down of Roe v. Wade, I have joined my colleagues in fighting for many critical pieces of legislation to protect the vital right to safe and professional abortion care.

I co-sponsored, and helped pass through the House, the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would create a safeguard against bans and medically unnecessary restrictions on the right to choose.

I am also a co-sponsor of the EACH Act, which requires federal health care programs to provide coverage for abortion services and requires federal facilities to provide access to those services.

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As several states have moved to impose draconian bans on women's reporductive rights, I joined my Congressional colleagues to fight back. 

In response to the failure of the Supreme Court to block one of the most extreme abortion bans in the country from going into effect in Texas, I introduced the Medical Travel Assistance to Protect Women's Right to Choose Act.

My legislation would provide federal funds to cover travel expenses for any resident of a state that restricts abortion services to travel to a state where abortion services are less restricted.

This bill is important now more than ever as more states move forward with legislation to undermine constitutionally protected reproductive rights.

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Right-wing policies continue to target Planned Parenthood Federation of America and attempt to cut off its federal funding.

None of the federal funds received by Planned Parenthood are used for abortion services, instead the federal funds are used to provide critical healthcare services including cancer screenings, breast exams, HIV testing and contraception. 

I have consistently voted against efforts to cut Planned Parenthood’s funding and will continue to do so.

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The Title X Family Planning Program provides grants for voluntary family planning and related preventative health services.

I have consistently supported increasing funding for Title X and fought against attempts to cut its funding.

I was glad to see the Biden-Harris administration reverse the policies of the Trump administration that placed restrictions on Title X, including restoring access to nondirective options counseling and referrals for abortion services, as well as making available $256 million in grant funding; all of which aids in upholding Title X’s goal of ensuring equitable, affordable, client-centered, quality family planning services.

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As a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs committee, I have worked to ensure U.S. foreign policy supports abortion access abroad.

I co-sponsored the Reproductive Rights are Human Rights Act which would amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require a section on reproductive rights in the Annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, including safe, legal, and effective access to abortion.

I have also co-sponsored the Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act, which authorizes the use of certain foreign assistance funds to provide comprehensive reproductive health care services in developing countries, including abortion services, training, and equipment.

Lastly, I co-sponsored the Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act, which establishes that a foreign non-governmental organization shall not be disqualified from receiving U.S. international development assistance solely because the organization provides abortion services.

This is critical, as current U.S. policy prohibits foreign assistance to foreign organizations that provide these important services.

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