WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), co-chair of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, on June 24 released the following statement on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade:
“Today marks the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s devastating decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate Americans’ right to abortion care. This is the first time in our nation’s history that we have stopped to commemorate a fundamental right that’s been taken away from us. The pain, trauma and devastation that this decision has caused to countless women across this country over the past year is reprehensible. And the House majority’s refusal to stand up for the constituents they serve by working with us to restore Roe v. Wade as the law of this land is inexcusable.
“Every woman in this country should have the freedom to make her own health care decisions, and poll after poll shows that an overwhelming majority of the American people support women’s right to access the reproductive care they need. No one should have to live with the fear that one of the most consequential decisions of their lives may no longer be theirs to make, and it’s why so many of us have vowed to never back down in this fight. While Democrats may not have a majority in the House now, we know that we have a majority of the American people on our side in this fight. We will never stop fighting for women’s right to reproductive care, and we will not stop until Roe v. Wade is the law of this land once again.”
Add’l Background:
- As co-chair of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, DeGette has been among a handful of lawmakers leading the fight to restore Roe v. Wade nationwide in wake of the Supreme Court’s decision last year.
- On Wednesday, DeGette filed a unique legislative measure, known as a “discharge petition,” in the U.S. House that could force the GOP-led chamber to vote on a landmark piece of legislation – known as the Women’s Health Protection Act – that would restore the protections that were in place under Roe v. Wade and, for the first time, give every American a federally protected right to abortion care. If the discharge petition filed by DeGette is signed by 218 members of the House, House leadership is required to immediately bring the Women’s Health Protection Act up for a vote. As of today, 211 members have signed the measure.
- On Friday, DeGette and House Democratic Leadership held a press conference on the eve of today’s anniversary to discuss their effort to restore Roe nationwide. Video of that press conference is available here.
- Earlier today, to mark the anniversary, DeGette, Vice President Kamala Harris and other members of the Pro-Choice Caucus released a joint video message to make clear they plan to continue the fight to restore Roe v. Wade for as long as it takes. That video is available here.
Original source can be found here
