Congresswoman Lee: We Need Safe and Legal Abortion Access Now
By Representative Barbara Lee
Abortion is healthcare, and every person has the right to make their own decisions about their healthcare — without interference from politicians. 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.
After a decades-long, coordinated strategic assault on women’s rights by right-wing extremists, Roe v. Wade was overturned in a 6-3 decision by an unelected conservative majority. This decision is a blatant attack on reproductive freedom and in direct opposition to the will of the people. And we know it will be felt even more acutely for women of color, low-income individuals, young people, those in rural communities, members of LGBTQ+ communities, and others who already face higher barriers to care.
Data for Progress polling finds that 54 percent of voters are concerned about their access to legal abortion in their state, including 73 percent of Democrats, 50 percent of Independents, and 40 percent of Republicans.
Some states that allow abortions are reporting difficulties handling the large number of out-of-state residents who are seeking abortions because they cannot obtain one in their home state. Thankfully, last month, President Biden issued an executive order paving the way for Medicaid to pay for out-of-state abortions — a critical step toward accessibility. Voters support the federal government providing funding to states that are now providing abortions to both in-state and out-of-state residents by a +9-point margin, including Democrats by a +68-point margin and Independents by a +6-point margin.
I, along with the Congressional Progressive Caucus, unveiled an agenda for legislative and executive action to protect abortion rights and reproductive freedom on July 15. Although the Senate failed to codify abortion access, it is crucial that the president continues to push through executive actions that will expand and protect reproductive freedom. We need federally implemented safe and legal abortion access now.
Rep. Barbara Lee represents California's 13th Congressional District.