President Trump’s Remarks on Abortion Spread Misinformation

The following is a statement by Lourdes Rivera, Senior Vice President of U.S. Programs at the Center for Reproductive Rights about President Donald Trump’s State of the Union remarks on abortion:

“Tonight President Trump spread misinformation and used scare tactics about a woman’s right under the constitution to access safe and legal abortion.

“Since 2010, more than 400 state  laws have been passed steadily eroding abortion access. By removing abortion restrictions, states like New York and Virginia are stepping up to protect women’s health and women’s ability to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.

“New York State is now treating abortion as health care, not a criminal act. A woman can now obtain abortion after the 24th week of pregnancy if her health or life is in danger, or if her pregnancy is not viable.

“The legislation proposed in Virginia would have allowed women and their doctors to make the best decisions for each person’s circumstance. The bill would have removed medically unnecessary restrictions designed to shame and degrade women, including ending the 24-hour waiting period, the state-mandated ultrasound, and having to get three doctors’ opinions when seeking an abortion.

“Every pregnancy and every woman’s circumstances are different. By using false, and inflammatory language, President Trump continues to discredit women and their doctors as capable decision-makers, and side with anti-abortion politicians whose only goal is to stigmatize abortion and make abortion completely inaccessible for women.”

Press contact: Kelly Krause, [email protected]

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