Friend, 

The GOP’s plan to overturn Roe was a culmination of the far right’s decades long attack on reproductive freedom – but it was not the end of their efforts.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s calamitous decision last year, Republicans across the country and at every level of office have used their power to legislate over women’s bodies: abortion bans in dozens of states, attempts to ban contraception, and even an attempt to ban abortion medication everywhere in the country. 

We’re seeing the dangerous consequences play out in real time. In Texas, a judge granted a mother of two experiencing a fatal genetic complication in her third pregnancy a medical exception to seek an abortion – only for extremist Republican state attorney general, Ken Paxton, to intervene and ask the state Supreme Court to block that exception despite the fact that the developing fetus had no hope of survival. Paxton also threatened the doctor and hospitals with criminal charges should they provide the medically necessary care. The mother's health was at risk, as was her future fertility. To protect her health, she had to flee the state of Texas to seek the care Republicans there denied her – a course of action not possible for all in her situation.

Elsewhere, the U.S. Supreme Court has decided to hear a challenge to medical abortion pill access. While there are some favorable signs that the Court could overturn the Fifth Circuit’s ruling – a ruling that would seriously curb the distribution of certain abortion medication if allowed to take effect – the fact that American women must even consider the possibility of this treatment being banned is an outrage.

Here’s what this all boils down to: The Republican Party is using any and all means they have at their disposal to restrict a woman’s bodily autonomy completely. As Texas proved, legislation that purports to provide an “exception” for health of the mother cannot be trusted – their “exception” clauses are window dressing, if you will, designed to hide what their law really is: a ban.

Legal limbo, uncertainty, elected politicians and judges dictating healthcare decisions instead of doctors – what kind of country are we living in? These attacks on fundamental human rights are not emblematic of America. It’s why a federal solution is more urgent than ever, and why I need your help to pass legislation to protect reproductive rights.

I’ve once again introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act and Right to Contraception Act in the Senate. If passed, this legislation would enshrine abortion rights into law. With attacks on reproductive freedom sweeping the nation, will you please join me in taking urgent action right now? Sign your name on my petition demanding federal action to protect and restore reproductive rights across the country.

Congress must act, once and for all, to ensure the courts and politicians stay out of what is and ought to be a fundamental personal freedom. Thanks for doing your part and taking action.

Dick