Republicans File Bill to Restrict Women’s Right to Choose

MIAMI, Fla. – Last week, U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) filed legislation that would restrict a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. The House Judiciary Committee approved the bill (HR 1797), which would ban abortions after 20 weeks nationwide. It is scheduled for a vote on the House floor this week.

On Monday, June 17, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) held a news conference at Pembroke Pines Health Center with a South Florida doctor, Dr. Karla Maguire, and representatives from local women’s groups to talk about what this would mean for women’s health care.

Joining Wasserman Schultz were Dr. Linda Geller-Schwartz, with the National Council of Jewish Women; Lisa Murano, the Advocacy Director of Planned Parenthood; Jersey Garcia, the co-founder and Executive Director of Mi Lola; and Nikki Fisher, the Advocacy Coordinator for ACLU of Florida

“Last week, Congressman Trent Franks from Arizona filed legislation that would restrict a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions,” said Wasserman Schultz. “The House Judiciary Committee, whose Republican members are ALL men, approved the bill, which would impose a national ban on abortions after 20 weeks. It has been 40 years since Roe v. Wade, and yet women still have to fight for the right to keep decisions about our bodies between us and our doctors. We shouldn’t have to worry that our government will try to intercede in personal health care decisions.

“When I think about the kind of world I want our daughters to live in, it’s one where their rights are sacred and their value is recognized, and that means having access to comprehensive sex education, affordable contraception, and safe, legal reproductive services. This bill doesn’t work toward creating a better world for future generations of women. It erodes their future by undermining their independence and undercutting their health.”