FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
24 June 2022
Contact: Kevin McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile)
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) issued the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturns Roe v. Wade and cruelly invalidates the past 50 years of precedent allowing for safe and legal access to abortion:
“No words can describe the heartbreak, despair, and fear millions of women across this country are experiencing following this decision. The decision blatantly and cruelly disregards women in America, an injustice that will never be a problem for the male Justices who formed part of the majority for this ruling. This ruling reduces women to second-class citizens who with less rights over their own body and personal decisions.”
“Soon, abortion will be illegal in 16 states post-Roe. This decision will endanger the lives and health of women across the country. Latina, Black, Indigenous, and AAPI women will be disproportionately impacted through a lack of access and availability of reproductive services – and as a result, will almost assuredly have higher rates of health and reproductive complications.”
“Republicans led by Mitch McConnell and Donald Trump put in a place a radical, right wing Court majority – that is wildly out-of-step with the American people and even with their own judicial norms and precedents. Unfortunately, Democrats saw this possibility coming, that’s why the House passed H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act, – a bill to codify Roe v. Wade into law and protect access to abortion across the country. Senate Republicans killed the bill, leaving millions of women on at risk.”
“The right to an abortion is a fundamental right, and I believe that we must do whatever it takes to restore this fundamental right, including by expanding the Supreme Court. Every day that goes by before the Senate takes up this critical legislation puts women’s lives in jeopardy.”
“I am angry, I am sad, I am disappointed, but this fight is not over. I will fight like hell until every woman in this country can safely access an abortion if they so choose. The decision to have an abortion is deeply personal, and the government has no place in a decision that should be solely between a woman and her healthcare provider.”
Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent 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 House Homeland Security Committee’s Subcommittee on Border Security, and on the House Energy and Commerce Health, Energy, and Environment & Climate Change Subcommittees.