Sánchez helps advance protections for women’s access to reproductive health care

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA) joined with her colleagues to advance two bills through the House of Representatives that will protect women and their access to reproductive health care across the country. The Women's Health Protection Act, which the House has now passed twice, codifies into federal law the right to access safe and legal abortion. The Ensuring Access to Abortion Act protects individuals from prosecution who travel across state lines seeking reproductive care. Both bills now head to the Senate for consideration.

"Every woman should be able to make decisions about her own body. That is why I am proud to advance these two bills, which, if passed by the Senate, will finally protect the right to choose under federal law and ensure no woman is prosecuted for seeking care in the United States," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "Make no mistake: the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, combined with actions taken in many states to criminalize abortion, represent a full-blown attempt to punish and control women. Extreme Republicans and the right-wing Supreme Court will stop at nothing to attack and dismantle our most fundamental rights. With today's votes, my Democratic House colleagues and I have taken action—once again—to establish the right to safe, legal abortion in this country. It is now time for the Senate to do the same."

In addition to the legislation, Congresswoman Sánchez joined her colleagues in successfully urging Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, to clarify guidance that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) protects a patient's right to receive emergency reproductive health care. Congresswoman Sánchez has also urged President Biden to declare a Public Health Emergency on abortion access and called on House and Senate leadership to support robust funding for family planning services in any future reconciliation package.

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