Reproductive Rights are Human Rights

U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, issued the following statement on today’s Supreme Court ruling striking down Louisiana’s radical and immoral effort to all but eliminate abortion access:

“Reproductive rights are human rights. One in four women have had an abortion. As one of them, I uniquely understand that having an abortion is a deeply personal choice but that every person, regardless of income or ZIP code, should have the right to make that decision for themselves. I unapologetically stand with the vast majority of Americans on both sides of the aisle who firmly believe that the right to safe, legal abortion care should be protected. And I proudly stand with those across America who are responding to today’s decision by redoubling our fight against repressive attacks on choice, and for women’s rights, health care and lives. 

“Let us be very clear: The cruel, dangerous and unjust Louisiana law, which would all but eliminate abortion rights, is not about health care; these kinds of attacks are about controlling and punishing women and pregnant people, eroding their Constitutional rights while disproportionately harming low-income people and people of color.

“Today’s decision reaffirms what Roe v. Wade made clear nearly 47 years ago, abortion restrictions not only harm women and their right to choose but they are unconstitutional. I’m glad to see the Supreme Court rule the correct way, but we can’t just rely on the judicial system.

“Congress must recommit to removing barriers to care and defending women’s constitutionally protected right to make their own choices about their own bodies. We must pass the Women’s Health Protection Act that I helped to introduce to create a safeguard against abortion bans and medically unnecessary restrictions. We must repeal the Hyde Amendment, reverse the Trump administration’s gag rule, increase Title X funding for women’s health care and codify Roe v. Wade in statute. And we must fight back against radical judicial nominees who threaten the rights and health care of women.

“The battle to protect reproductive rights may feel exhausting, but we must never stop. I assure you that I never will.”

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Issues: Civil Rights, Government Reform & Ethics, Health Care