Put simply, women must have the right to make their own private health decisions. The recent overturning of the landmark decision, Roe v. Wade, is a shocking reversal of a half-century of settled law on women’s rights. While abortion remains legal in Illinios, states across the country are now enacting bans on abortion following the SCOTUS decision. We must do everything in our power now to protect equal marriage, access to birth control, and more of the rights we thought were settled law. Simply put, it is imperative that the Senate finally pass legislation to codify a woman's right to choose.

As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I was proud to stand alongside advocates for choice as the Supreme Court heard arguments in 2016’s Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, arguably the most important abortion case in decades.  In recent years, we have seen a sharp increase in attacks on abortion and reproductive services, which is why I have been proud to help pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, to push for passage of the EACH Woman Act, and to join my colleagues in calling for an end to the Hyde Amendment that prevents federal funding for abortion. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I have also pushed for increased funding for the Title X program and Planned Parenthood, and defended the United Nations Population Fund from harmful and misguided funding cuts. 

It is imperative that a woman’s healthcare decisions remain between her and her doctor. Women must be free from government interference to make the choices about what is best for their health and their families. Choice is not solely a “women’s issue”. It’s a civil rights issue and an American issue. And as your representative in Washington, I will always stand up for women’s reproductive rights. I have been encouraging men to step up in protecting access to affordable birth control and to support women in the fight for reproductive rights.