Dear Neighbors,
I strongly opposed two Republican bills on the House Floor this week that are a blatant attack on women’s health care and reproductive freedom. Both bills are part of the extreme Republican agenda to enact a national ban on abortion and use federal dollars to do it.
Their bill the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act should actually be called the Funding Anti-Abortion Centers Act, because it would divert vital federal dollars to anti-abortion centers masquerading as legitimate health care providers. Crisis pregnancy centers are deceptive organizations that seek to manipulate women during their pregnancy and prevent their ability to receive comprehensive reproductive care.
The so-called Pregnant Students’ Rights Act claims to provide information to pregnant students about their rights. However, the bill advances anti-abortion rhetoric and further stigmatizes people for their pregnancy outcomes instead of prioritizing the needs of pregnant and parenting students. Pregnant and parenting students deserve access to comprehensive information and resources they need to control their health and future - including whether to continue their pregnancy.
Make no mistake – the Republican Party will stop at nothing to enact a federal abortion ban. I will continue to fight for comprehensive, equitable access to health care for everyone and will continue to oppose any efforts to eliminate a woman’s right to reproductive freedom.
Expanding School Lunches in New Jersey
I joined Governor Murphy this week for a bill signing to expand access to school meals for students in New Jersey. Thanks to this bill, public and non-public schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and/or federal School Breakfast Program will provide a free school lunch and/or breakfast to eligible students.
