We've been waiting for this moment since 1973.

Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky introduced a bill to repeal the dangerous Helms Amendment.

For nearly 50 years, the Helms Amendment has prevented foreign assistance funding from being used to cover abortion care, for any reason.

Of course it hasn’t eliminated, or even reduced, the need for abortion. It has, though, put safe abortion out of reach for hundreds of millions of people around the world. It has driven people to seek more dangerous options. Up to 31,000 girls and women die from the complications of unsafe abortion yearly. Countless more are severely injured—some permanently.

The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act will repeal the Helms Amendment, thereby allowing U.S. foreign aid to cover safe abortion services for people who need them.

Will you send a letter to your U.S. representative asking them to sign on as a co-sponsor? Tell them this is their chance to be a champion for safe abortion access around the world.

I don't know about you, but I think people everywhere deserve the safety and dignity of comprehensive health care—including safe abortion care. I believe that U.S. policy and aid should ensure access to that care, not restrict it. And I believe that investing in this care will save lives and strengthen communities.

That's why we need your U.S. representative as a co-sponsor. Join me in asking them to sign onto this bill and support safe abortion access.

If we move this bill forward and get someone in the White House who won't veto it, we can #RepealHelms for good.

I'm in if you are.

Brian Dixon
Senior VP for Media and Government Relations
Population Connection Action Fund