Congresswoman Lee Issues Statement Recognizing the 40th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370
Washington, DC – Today Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) released a statement recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
“As we recognize the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remain vigilant in protecting a woman's right to access safe and legal reproductive and preventative health services.
“Last year, House Republicans introduced numerous pieces of legislation that sought to do nothing more than restrict a woman's right to choose and access to basic health services. Their ultimate goal was to overturn Roe. v. Wade and to plunge women back to an era of back alley abortions.
“In fact, in the 112th Congress, the House voted twelve times to undermine women's fundamental, constitutionally protected abortion rights or limit access to abortion services. In the first few day of the new Congress, Republicans have already introduced three anti-choice bills. Their actions show why Roe v. Wade is relevant and necessary even today, particularly for women of color who have disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancies and abortion, and who face stigmatization and other barriers to accessing high quality, and culturally- and linguistically-appropriate health care.
“Last November, Americans across the nation stood and held the line against a tide of ideologically driven, unprecedented attacks against women's health. The American people recognize that decisions about whether to choose adoption, end a pregnancy, or raise a child must be left to a woman, her family, and her faith, with the counsel of her doctor or health care provider. Although women's rights prevailed – there is more work to be done. That is why I will continue to stand and fight to protect a woman's right to choose.”
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