Blog: Republican War on Women's Reproductive Rights

Statement

Republicans across the country are waging a war on women's reproductive rights. Instead of working with Democrats to create jobs and stimulate the economy, Republicans are passing legislation that would bring back unregulated abortions, strip women of control over their own bodies, and force women to follow extremist Republican policies.

Some of the most recent Republican legislation includes:

In Idaho, Republicans introduced mandatory ultrasound legislation that requires women submit to an ultrasound and contains no exception for rape, incest, or medical emergency. If the woman is in her first trimester, she would be forced to undergo a second transvaginal ultrasound. The Republican sponsor, Chuck Winder, doesn't believe women know when they are raped and suggested doctors question rape victims to determine whether it was just "normal marital relations."

In Kansas, Republicans are advancing a bill that would allow doctors to withhold medical information from women that might encourage them to seek an abortion and exempts doctors from malpractice lawsuits if the woman or child suffers a health complication as a result. Republicans are legalizing medical malpractice against women seeking abortions. This bill also requires doctors to lie to women and tell them that abortions cause breast cancer and bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, at approximately six weeks.

In Georgia, Republicans passed the "Women as Livestock" bill. This bill bans abortions after 20 weeks and has no exemptions for rape or incest. This bill forces women to carry stillborn fetuses to term after 20 weeks. During the debate over the bill, Republican Terry England compared pregnant women carrying stillborn fetuses to livestock on his farm. In his opinion, since his livestock must carrying stillborn calves to term, he saw no reason women should not be required to do the same.

In Texas, legislation banned Planned Parenthood from receiving any government funding. Because of this law, more than 130,000 women in Texas will lose access to women's health clinics. This includes STD and HIV testing, free and reduced contraception, mammograms, and abortion services.

In Utah, Republicans passed into law a three-day waiting period before an abortion can be performed. This law makes no exemption for the health of the mother, rape, or incest.

In Arizona, a Republican legislator is advocating for a law that forces women to watch an abortion before being allowed to have an abortion.
I have always been a strong advocate for women's reproductive rights and will continue to fight this extremist Republican legislation. I will always support a woman's right to make her own decisions about her body.

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