In the year since the Supreme Court gutted abortion rights and reproductive freedoms, we’ve watched as state after state enacts draconian measures to control women.
In the past month, Indiana abortion providers have stopped providing services in anticipation of a sweeping abortion ban going into effect (despite the best effort of last minute petitions by organizations like the ACLU of Indiana), and an all-male South Carolina Supreme Court has upheld a strict six-week abortion ban, reversing the court’s own decision from earlier this year.
This map from the New York Times illustrates the current state of bans across the country: |
Those shaded states represent more than 40% of the American population - meaning nearly half of all Americans live in a state with abortion care restrictions in place.
And what’s more, research has found that increasingly, places in the U.S. that restrict abortion also have fewer doctors who provide care for pregnant people. Right now, there are 3.7 million women living in a county that provides no access to abortion care and no or low access to maternity care.
Take this heartbreaking new report out of Texas: In 2022, after banning abortions, the state saw an 11.5% increase in infant mortality. Experts in Texas attribute this awful development at least in part to the impacts of forcing people to carry nonviable pregnancies to term.
This is all painful to read and reflect on.
But it is the reality of what is happening in our country - so I want to feel that pain, and I want to get angry. I hope you do, too - because we’re going to need that anger if we want to fight for change, and win.
Here’s the good news:
We can codify the right to abortion in federal law. All we need to do is take back our House majority in 2024 (and of course, hold our Senate majority and the White House!).
I can’t promise it’ll be easy, but I know that this team has what it takes to get it done, because I’ve seen your incredible passion over the past several years.
Will you donate any amount to my re-election campaign right now to ensure I can hold onto my seat and support other Democrats running in key districts next year?
If you can’t donate now, will you commit to keeping up with my campaign and reading these updates? It means a lot.
Thank you so much. -Sara |
