FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3 May 2022
San Pedro, CA – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) issued the following statement regarding the leaked Supreme Court of the United States draft opinion from Justice Samuel Alito, that would overturn Roe v. Wade.
“To all of the scared women out there who are concerned about what this means, let me be clear as of right now abortion and abortion services are still legal. Until the Supreme Court of the United States issues an official opinion, you have the constitutional right to make reproductive decisions about your own body and your future.
“If the leaked draft opinion becomes the final opinion of the Court, the Republican-appointed Justices will strip away a Constitutional right from women in this country, that they have been able to exercise for almost 50 years. When a woman makes this decision, it is deeply personal and difficult, and courts and state legislatures have no business getting between the decision of a woman and her healthcare provider. Taking this right away is wrong and blatantly disregards people who need access to abortions in this country. In fact, 70 percent of Americans oppose overturning Roe v. Wade.
“This is a fundamental right that I’ll fight like hell to make sure women continue to have, regardless of race, class, or zip code.
“Make no mistake, if enacted this decision will endanger the lives and health of women in this country. Latina, Black, Indigenous, and AAPI women will be disproportionately impacted in terms of access to, and availability of, reproductive services – and as a result will almost assuredly have higher rates of health and reproductive complications.
“If finalized, this opinion would provide no federal protection and place states in charge of women’s bodies, telling them what they must do with their bodies regardless of the circumstances. The same people, and states, that want to take away a woman’s control over her own body do not support universal healthcare, enhanced child tax credits, increased benefits for low-income mothers and children, Head Start, universal pre-K, paid family leave, or childcare assistance.
“Their message is clear: we control the decisions related to your body, but we are not responsible for, nor are we going to provide any help with, the decision we have forced upon you. You are on your own.
“The language from Justice Alito displays a radical departure from precedent; a disrespect for personal freedoms, privacy, and bodily autonomy; it is a failure to follow the historical role of the Court in adjusting and defining Constitutional rights to meet the circumstances of the time; and a return to women having fewer rights than men in this country.
“All options are on the table to ensure that all women have continued access to reproductive services.
“If we must expand the Court to protect our rights, I am in.
“There is no time to waste. Congress must codify the right to reproductive services, including abortions, for all women in this country – no matter where they live or the resources available to them.
“The House did its job. We passed the Women’s Health Protection Act, which prohibits government restrictions to abortion access.
“The U.S. Senate must act now, and I applaud Majority Leader Schumer’s commitment to do so. If you’ve ever said that Roe v. Wade is settled law, the time for talk is over. It’s time to stop hiding and end the filibuster so we can pass this bill and get it to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law.”
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Congresswoman Barragán represents California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Florence-Firestone, Lynwood, North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, Walnut Park, Watts, Willowbrook and Wilmington. She serves as chairwoman of the U.S. House Homeland Border Security Subcommittee.