NWLC

Dear John,

It’s been less than a month since the Texas abortion ban went into effect, and now, abortion access is effectively meaningless for one in 10 women of reproductive age in the United States. Texans seeking abortions must now travel hundreds of miles, out of state, for their care—if they can get an abortion at all. This is a dangerous time for abortion rights in our country—we need Congress to show up for us.

Tell Congress: Pass the Women’s Health Protection Act

Congress must act now to make sure abortion is available where people live.

TAKE ACTION

And it’s not just Texas. Anti-abortion politicians have passed barrier after barrier, including outright bans, taking away abortion access for so many across the country. I’ve heard from advocates and providers in other states who are bracing for similar laws like the Texas ban to be introduced by their politicians.

At the same time, a newly constituted Supreme Court stands poised to overturn the constitutional right to abortion in a case about a Mississippi abortion ban. That’s a truly scary possibility—but Congress can and must take action. In response to these attacks, the House is scheduled to vote on a proactive federal bill that helps protect abortion access. We need Congress to help end these harmful state laws and protect our fundamental rights now. Passing the Women's Health Protection Act is a key first action for what Congress can and must do to protect our rights. The Biden-Harris administration has voiced its strong support for WHPA—tomorrow it’s time for the House to do the same.

Make sure your member of Congress knows you expect them to vote yes on WHPA tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Heather Shumaker
she/her
Director of State Abortion Access

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Leila Abolfazli
Date: September 17, 2021 10:21 AM
Subject: Tell Congress: Protect Abortion Access and Pass the Women’s Health Protection Act

Fighting for gender justice in the courts, in public policy, and in our society.
Justice for her. Justice for all.

Dear John,

Let’s not mince words—abortion is effectively banned in the state of Texas.

Since September 1, abortion clinics in Texas have been forced to comply with Senate Bill 8 after five Justices on the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block it. This new state law effectively outlaws most abortion care in Texas and emboldens vigilantes to drag into court anyone who helps someone get an abortion in Texas, from a health care provider to a loved one.

We need to do everything we can to fight back against laws like the Texas ban and to push back against other states that follow Texas’ lead. And of course it’s not just this latest Texas abortion ban that is keeping people from getting the care they need. Over the past decade, state legislatures have passed more than 500 restrictions, 90 restrictions in 2021 alone. These restrictions mean that despite abortion being a constitutional right, access is not a reality for far too many people in this country. But Congress can help. The federal Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) would strike back against these restrictions by enshrining the right to access abortion and provide abortion care under federal law, ending these medically unnecessary restrictions or bans.

Congress needs to act to help ensure that people can get abortion care in their communities and that those who want to provide abortion care are able to do so.

Tell Congress: Protect Abortion Access and Pass the Women’s Health Protection Act

Abortion is effectively banned in Texas—Congress has to act now to make sure abortion is available where people live.

TAKE ACTION

Every person should be able to make decisions about pregnancy, including the decision to have an abortion, free from fear and restrictions that politicians use to shame and control them. Unfortunately, those disproportionately harmed by the Texas abortion ban, and similar abortion bans and restrictions, are communities that already face barriers to care, including Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, young people, those living in rural communities, people with disabilities, and those working to make ends meet. Congress needs to take action now to make sure abortion bans and the hundreds of restrictions are stopped across the country.

It’s critical that Congress establishes a strong right to abortion in federal law and ensures abortion is available to all who need it—tell your representative to support the Women’s Health Protection Act today.

Sincerely,

Leila Abolfazli
she/her/hers
Director of Federal Reproductive Rights
National Women’s Law Center

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National Women's Law Center
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