Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Urge SCOTUS to Uphold Roe v. Wade
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Reps. Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Diana DeGette (D-CO), co-chairs of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, released the following statement urging the Supreme Court to strike down Mississippi’s abortion ban and uphold nearly 50 years of Supreme Court precedent protecting the constitutional right to an abortion:
“This is a critical moment. This case is a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, and the state of Mississippi has explicitly appealed to the Supreme Court to overrule nearly 50 years of legal precedent. This case challenges the very core of Roe, and we know that if Roe falls, half of the states in the country are poised to ban abortion entirely.
“Abortion is essential, and every person has the right to make their own decisions about whether or not to seek an abortion for themselves—without interference from politicians. Over the last five decades, the Court has repeatedly protected reproductive freedom. History has shown that access to abortion increases women’s educational attainment, labor force participation, and entrance into professional occupations while decreasing financial stress and poverty.
“Furthermore, while abortion bans affect everyone, their impacts fall the hardest on Black, Latina, Indigenous people, and people of color; people with disabilities; people in rural areas; young people; immigrants; and those having difficulty making ends meet. These are all people who already face discriminatory obstacles and other barriers to health care.
“We will not allow anti-choice state legislators to take away our rights and freedom. No matter how the Court rules, Roe v. Wade isn’t enough to protect abortion access. Now more than ever, it’s crucial that we keep working toward expanded, equitable abortion access. We will continue to do that in Congress by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act and the EACH Act. Everyone should have the right to decide when and if to become a parent—period.”