Bill to Protect Abortion Rights Falls Short of Senate Passage
This bill would protect millions from losing the right to abortion if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, which many are anticipating will happen this year
02.28.22 (PRESS RELEASE) — Today, the U.S. Senate voted on the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), which would protect access to abortion in all 50 states. The historic vote took place against the backdrop of the Supreme Court considering a case—Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health—in which it is being asked to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow states to ban abortion completely. In an 46-48 vote, WHPA fell short of the 60 votes needed to overcome the filibuster and pass.
Statement from Nancy Northup, President & CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:
“We applaud Senate Majority Leader Schumer for bringing the Women’s Health Protection Act to the floor of the Senate today. Millions of Americans are on the cusp of losing the right to determine their own lives, health and futures. The Center for Reproductive Rights has been to the Supreme Court twice in the last four months because the states of Texas and Mississippi are in open defiance of the constitutional guarantees of Roe v. Wade. To date, the Supreme Court has not stopped them. Many more states are burdening the right to abortion or seeking to ban it altogether. Now is the moment for Congress to take action to address this relentless attack on constitutional rights.
Many Senators answered the call today to protect abortion rights. We are undaunted that we fell short of the necessary votes today. It was a historic vote, marking the first time the Senate has ever voted to enshrine the right to abortion in federal law. We thank Leader Schumer—and all 46 Senators who voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act—for siding with the vast majority of Americans who want this right protected. One in four women in the United States makes the decision to end a pregnancy. A vote against this bill is a vote against the fundamental right to control one’s own body and future. WHPA may not have passed today, but the groundswell behind it will continue to grow until it becomes law.”
One in four women will have an abortion during her lifetime, and the majority of Americans support the right to abortion. Yet, already in 2022, at least 20 states have introduced laws that ban abortion at various stages of pregnancy or altogether. Last year was the worst year for reproductive rights since 1973, when Roe was decided, with more than 100 state-level abortion restrictions passed across the country.
If Roe v. Wade falls, about half the states in the country will likely take action to ban abortion immediately. The Guttmacher Institute recently released new data showing how far people in each state will need to drive to reach abortion services if Roe is overturned. People in some states would need to drive more than 1,000 miles round trip to access care, including people in Louisiana, Florida and Texas. The people who cannot afford to travel to other states have been forced to give birth or attempt to manage their abortion on their own. This falls hardest on Black people, communities of color, young people, and those living on a low income.
###
MEDIA CONTACT: [email protected]
