U.S. Federal Administrative Advocacy

The Center for Reproductive Rights holds federal agencies accountable in upholding and advancing reproductive rights and health.

Summary

Agency officials across the federal government implement and enforce laws, make funding decisions, collect and analyze data, and create rules affecting everyday lives across the country.

The Center for Reproductive Rights works to ensure that federal agencies protect, respect, and fulfill the human right to health care by holding agencies accountable and promoting policy changes that advance access to reproductive health care—and now that the Supreme Court has eliminated federal protections for abortion rights, holding agencies accountable is more important than ever.

The Center advocates for and against proposed rules and regulations, educates key stakeholders on the impact of federal policies and actions, makes policy recommendations, uncovers key documents and records, works to hold the Executive Branch accountable, and challenges unlawful actions and regulations in the courts.

The Center continues to work with the administration to promote progressive policies that advance reproductive health care in the U.S. and around the world.

Key Facts

21,500,000

Women of reproductive age living in U.S. states where abortion is illegal.

1st

Vice President Harris became the first sitting VP to visit an abortion clinic when she toured a Minnesota facility in March 2024.

6

President Biden has signed six executive orders promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Work Highlights

Explore highlights of the Center’s federal administrative advocacy.

New tool mobilizing against the Trump administration’s anti-reproductive rights appointments to crucial federal agencies.

How do federal agencies influence U.S. reproductive health and rights policies?

The U.S. Supreme Court overruled a decades-long legal test that gave deference to administrative actions.

More Highlights

With a Trump Presidency, Grave Threats to Reproductive Freedoms Expected card link

With a Trump Presidency, Grave Threats to Reproductive Freedoms Expected

Anti-rights agenda risks progress made on gender equality, reproductive rights, and access to health care.

Comments Submitted to Federal Agencies card link

Comments Submitted to Federal Agencies

Recent submissions supporting or opposing proposed rules and regulations.

HHS Takes Steps to Advance Family Planning Services card link

HHS Takes Steps to Advance Family Planning Services

Biden administration’s moves will improve access to health care and contraception from multiple angles.

Center CEO Among the Experts Meeting with VP on Protecting Medication Abortion card link

Center CEO Among the Experts Meeting with VP on Protecting Medication Abortion

On February 24, 2023, the Center’s President and CEO Nancy Northup joined with leading medical experts and other reproductive rights leaders at a meeting with Vice President Kamala Harris to discuss protecting reproductive health care, particularly medication abortion.

Reproductive Rights Front and Center at 2024 State of the Union Address card link

Reproductive Rights Front and Center at 2024 State of the Union Address

President Biden focused on access to abortion and the full spectrum of reproductive rights in the 2024 State of the Union.

FDA Expands Access to Medication Abortion card link

FDA Expands Access to Medication Abortion

FDA ends in-person requirement and allows retail and online pharmacies to directly dispense abortion medication to patients.