El Paso Standard

On June 21, the lead sponsors of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) Rep. Judy Chu, Rep. Lois Frankel, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC), Rep. Ayanna Pressley, and Rep. Veronica Escobar released the following statements on the discharge petition filed by House Democrats. The discharge petition, which was filed this morning, would force a vote on WHPA—even if Speaker McCarthy objects. 

Reps. Chu, Frankel, Pressley and Escobar led their colleagues in re-introducing WHPA earlier this year. This comprehensive legislation safeguards abortion rights and personal decision-making for everyone who calls America home after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. It would create a federal statutory right for health care providers to provide abortion care and a corresponding right for their patients to receive that care—free from bans and restrictions that impede access. 

“With House Republicans beholden to their extreme MAGA members, they refuse to restore and strengthen Americans' reproductive rights. I am beyond proud to work with House Democratic leadership and the Pro-Choice Caucus to offer the Women's Health Protection Act in a discharge petition to force accountability for their inaction. House Members who do not add their signature are telling Americans that they shouldn't have the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions,” said Rep. Judy Chu. 

“In the year since Roe fell, women across the country have faced a health care crisis as Republican legislatures in state after state passed abortion bans and severe restrictions—and as Republicans here in Congress blocked any effort to protect women’s rights. Despite Republicans’ cruel agenda, Democrats refuse to back down from our fight to protect reproductive freedom and a woman's ability to decide if and when to grow or start a family. I’m proud to join my colleagues in filing a discharge petition to force a floor vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act—even if Speaker McCarthy objects. Women are watching closely to see if Republicans will continue to stand in the way of their ability to make their own health care decisions,” said Rep. Lois Frankel, Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus. 

"In the face of the constant threat to our fundamental rights, House Democratic leadership and the Pro-Choice Caucus are continuing the fight to ensure every person has the freedom to make personal decisions with those they love and trust without politicians trying to control them,” said Rep. Escobar. “I am proud, once again, to join my Democratic colleagues in declaring that abortion is healthcare and calling for the Women’s Health Protection Act to be brought to the House floor with the urgency this moment requires."

“Anti-abortion politicians are stopping at nothing to strip away our reproductive freedom, so we must be just as exhaustive in using every tool available to affirm abortion care as the fundamental human right that it is,” said Rep. Pressley. “I’m so grateful to Congresswoman Chu for her leadership in putting forward this critical discharge petition to advance WHPA. Every member of Congress should listen to the will of the people and sign this petition to swiftly bring WHPA to the House floor to protect and restore access to abortion care. We’re not backing down in this fight.”

Original source can be found here.