Thirty-nine years ago, the United States Supreme Court recognized a woman’s right to make her own decisions about starting a family and protecting her body. As we mark today’s anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must recommit ourselves to defending against attempts to erode this fundamental constitutional principle and deny women their reproductive rights.
In my first year in the Senate, I often witnessed the tenacious commitment of those who prioritize rolling back reproductive rights above everything else. For some members of Congress, the anti-choice agenda has even trumped job creation.
In April, some members of the House nearly caused the federal government to shut down in their effort to defund Title X, a program which dates back to 1970 and provides a range of critical health services to women across the country. In October, the House passed a bill that prohibits women from buying health insurance plans that cover abortion under the Affordable Care Act and makes it legal for hospitals to deny abortions to pregnant women with life-threatening conditions. I will do everything I can to make sure this draconian bill is not passed by the Senate.
While we have been largely able to fend off anti-choice attacks, we must remain vigilant in the preservation of reproductive rights and ensure all women in this country have access to the highest-quality health care available.
Today, on the 39th anniversary of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision, I pledge to continue fighting for accessible and affordable reproductive care for Delawareans and all Americans.