John,

On this day in 1973, the Supreme Court legalized the right to abortion, a historic victory for millions of women across the country, in the landmark ruling Roe v. Wade.

Half a century ago, our country took a crucial step forward for millions of women. And for nearly 50 years, Roe was the law of the land. It protected women’s right to bodily autonomy and the freedom to make our own reproductive health care choices — and maintained that those decisions are protected by the Constitution.

Since that historic ruling, Republicans have relentlessly attacked reproductive rights, attempting year after year to overturn Roe so they can restrict a woman’s right to make decisions about her body and her future. This result is the culmination of a decades-long war waged by Mitch McConnell, anti-choice lawmakers and a right-wing judiciary.

And as we all know, last year, shortly after Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump stole two seats on the Supreme Court, the new conservative supermajority overturned nearly 50 years of precedent in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

The disastrous ruling cleared the way for at least 13 states to immediately and fully outlaw abortion, with five more states banning the procedure as early as six weeks — threatening the lives of millions of Americans who can no longer access reproductive health care where they live, worsening our nation’s maternal health crisis and putting countless lives in danger.

The horrifying stories that have followed are infuriating, heartbreaking and completely preventable. And that was just the beginning.

The GOP wasted no time to put forth legislation last year that would institute a nationwide abortion ban. While they were not successful because our Democratic majorities kept the bill from becoming law, we know they will continue pushing toward their end goal of criminalizing women seeking the reproductive health care services they need.

While Republicans have maintained an all-out assault on women’s right to choose for years, they have been met with fierce opposition by those who advocate not just for women’s rights but our fundamental rights. I’m proud to join arms with folks like you on the side of reproductive justice, and to protect our freedom and fundamental rights.

And just as anti-choice Republicans will not stop, neither will we. I will not stop working to protect the right to reproductive care and to codify reproductive rights into federal law and protect abortion access across the nation.

Today, on the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, I’m asking everyone on this team to stand with me and strengthen our resolve to restore nationwide access to reproductive health care. If you’re with me, please add your name next to mine calling on Congress to take immediate action to protect the health and safety of women everywhere.

Thank you for standing with me.

In solidarity,

Lauren