WASHINGTON, D.C. — Abortion rights are hanging by a thread, but today, the House of Representatives strengthened the guarantee of reproductive justice for women in every state. The passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) would put the reproductive rights protected by Roe v. Wade into federal law.
A majority of voters believe that abortion rights should be protected with a new federal law like the WHPA—with polls showing a 61% bipartisan majority. The WHPA will make it impossible for extremist politicians and radicalized courts to undo our reproductive rights. Women must be free to make the personal decisions that shape their lives, their futures and their families—without political interference.
Abortion bans and restrictions disproportionately harm those who already face systemic barriers to health care, with people of color historically denied their right to bodily autonomy and self-determination. Equitable access to abortion care is essential for reproductive, economic and racial justice.
The House took a historic step today by voting for the first time to codify reproductive rights with WHPA, and now it’s the Senate’s turn.
Voters have made it clear that they overwhelmingly believe that Roe should stand and that women should have autonomy over their own bodies – including access to abortion. Republican Senators need to start listening to the voters who elect them, and urgently pass needed laws like the WHPA—or they’ll start losing more elections. NOW members will see to that.