Democratic Women’s Caucus Celebrates House Passage of Women’s Health Protection Act
September 24, 2021
CONTACT: Michelle Moreno-Silva
Washington, D.C. – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) Co-Chairs Congresswomen Lois Frankel (FL-21), Brenda Lawrence (MI-14), and Jackie Speier (CA-14), and Vice Chairs Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) issued the following statement on the House of Representatives passage of H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), introduced by DWC Members Congresswomen Judy Chu (CA-27), Lois Frankel, Veronica Escobar, and Ayanna Pressley (MA-07).
“House Democrats struck a resounding blow for the rights of women to control their own bodies and destinies today by finally codifying abortion rights into federal law. Deciding whether to become a parent is one of the most important, personal life decisions a person can make, and it’s a decision that should not include the opinions of politicians, neighbors, or strangers in another states,” said DWC Leadership. “This year has been absolutely devastating for reproductive health, with more than 90 restrictions adopted across the states, including the draconian SB8, which took effect earlier this month in Texas. WHPA takes a stand against the oppressive vigilante tactics being used in Texas, which are starting to spread to states like Florida, and is critical for women’s health by ensuring that all women, no matter where they live, have the freedom to make their own decisions about what is best for them and their families, based on unbiased medical information. As this bill heads to the Senate, we urge our colleagues to follow suit and pass WHPA without delay so that women’s health care, rights, and basic dignity are no longer subject to the oppressive overreach of politicians.”
“Today’s historic vote has been a long time coming,” said Congresswoman Chu, lead sponsor of WHPA. “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.”
“For people in Texas, the fifty years of legal precedent set by Roe v. Wade is effectively meaningless,” said Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01). “For people in Mississippi, the constitutional right to access abortion care may soon no longer exists. This legislation will ensure that all Americans – regardless of where they live – have a federally-protected right to access abortion care. It will negate the Texas and Mississippi laws, and it will guarantee all women in this country – once again – have the freedom to decide what’s best for them.”
“There has never been a more important time for Congress to step up and protect the right to an abortion,” said Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chair Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13). “While it is a monumental achievement to see this bill pass the House, we must remain focused. Every day, we are reminded that abortion access for millions hangs in the balance. Conservative state legislatures will stop at nothing to strip abortion care from the most vulnerable. There is no denying that people of color and low-income people are disproportionately affected by restrictions on abortion coverage, and that those who have been denied abortion access are more likely to live in poverty. It’s critical that we protect the rights of the most vulnerable and ensure safe, healthy, and equitable access to reproductive care. As the co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I remain fiercely committed to fighting ANY effort to undermine and chip away at our constitutionally protected right to comprehensive reproductive health care. Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Judy Chu and Speaker Pelosi, we are one step closer. It’s time for the Senate to step up and protect the right to choose for all.”
The Women’s Health Protection Act:
• Codifies the constitutional right to an abortion found in Roe v. Wade,
• Creates federal protections against state laws that fail to protect women’s health and that intrude upon personal decision-making, and
• Prohibits medically unwarranted restrictions that single out abortion services or the facilities that provide them.
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