Today, Congressman Alcee L. Hastings (D-FL) released the following statement marking the 42nd anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in
Roe v. Wade:
“Today marks the 42nd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in
Roe v. Wade, establishing a woman’s constitutional right to reproductive health. I stand with the 70 percent of Americans that believe that women, in conjunction with their doctors, should be able to make choices about their personal medical decisions.
“Since the inception of the 114th Congress just 19 days ago, House Republicans have rushed to continue their efforts to radically undermine a woman’s constitutional right to choose. While Democrats have used this time to work vigorously to lay out a transformative economic vision for working families, Republicans continue to serve at the whim of special interests through their attack on millions of women’s legal right to healthcare, even as female members of their own party have vehemently rejected Speaker Boehner’s plans.
“Today, House Republicans are rushing to the floor the misleading bill H.R. 7 to restrict how women with private insurance can spend private dollars in purchasing health insurance. This bill would withhold abortion coverage from almost all women in America, fundamentally undermining millions of women’s constitutional rights and endangering their health. It would particularly target the health of women working in small businesses, who would lose access to comprehensive health coverage. Instead of focusing on economic reforms that would benefit Americans across the nation, House Republicans are directing their energy and resources at a counterproductive and dangerous attempt to please a small minority that is out of touch with the majority of American citizens.
“As we mark the anniversary of
Roe v. Wade, I will work to ensure that a woman’s decisions about her health is based on her own morals, values and circumstance, and that access to safe and legal reproductive care remains readily available.”
Congressman Alcee L. Hastings serves as Senior Member of the House Rules Committee, Ranking Democratic Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and Co-Chairman of the Florida Delegation.
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