(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), co-sponsor in the Senate of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), speaks in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021 along with U.S. House Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) co-sponsor (WHPA), after the passage of the legislation in the House of Representatives, which approved WHPA in a 218-211 vote.
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON DC – The U.S. House has approved a bill that Democrats drafted to protect a person’s access to abortion amid an all-out attack by Republican lawmakers with the complicity of a conservative majority Supreme Court. The legislation “Women’s Health Protection Act” (WHPA) passed in the House of Representatives last Friday in a 218-211 vote. The measure would guarantee equal access to abortion everywhere—and the right of an abortion provider to deliver the abortion services—free from medically unnecessary restrictions that interfere with a patient’s individual choice or the provider-patient relationship. U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), co-sponsor in the Senate of the WHPA applauded the passage of the historic legislation in the House of Representatives. Senator Blumenthal warned of the stepped up Republican attacks on reproductive rights. In the last decade, state lawmakers have pushed through nearly 500 restrictive laws that make abortion difficult and, sometimes, impossible to access. Just this year, four states have passed bans on abortion at six weeks of pregnancy, before many people even realize they’re pregnant. Lawmakers in Arkansas and Oklahoma attempted to ban abortion completely, and the Supreme Court recently decided to allow a restrictive Texas anti-abortion law to take effect, effectively outlawing abortion access in the state.
“We are witnessing unconstitutional attacks on reproductive health care in real time. Now more than ever, Congress must fight back to protect people’s right to an abortion & ensure everyone’s reproductive freedom—starting with passing WHPA.”
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this month refused to block a Texas law that amounts to a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The vote was 5-4, with three Trump-appointed justices joining two other conservative justices. President Biden weighed in, warning that the Texas law will create “unconstitutional chaos” by infringing on a right that women have exercised for almost a half-century.
DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), co-sponsor in the Senate of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), speaks in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), co-sponsor in the Senate of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), speaks in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021.
The U.S. Senator said abortion restrictions disproportionately affect women of color and those without the means to travel to get the care they need. “A Senate vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act will hold lawmakers accountable for whether they will preserve access to abortion as a fundamental right,” Senator Blumenthal said. “The need for the Women’s Health Protection Act is indisputable in the face of cascading state restrictions eliminating access to abortion care. It is clear and straightforward in allowing medical professionals to decide to provide abortion care free from medically unnecessary restrictions.”
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) U.S. House Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), speaks in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021 after passage of the historic legislation.
“We made history when the House passed WHPA. Now the Senate must do their part in protecting the rights to abortion access. I’ll say it again, Americans must have equal access to abortions, everywhere. Everyday should be Safe Abortion Day. Abortion care is healthcare, and healthcare is a right. That is why I am so proud that the House passed WHPA and why we must continue fighting for the right to have access to safe abortions.”
-U.S. House Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) co-sponsor of WHPA
DIPLOMATIC TIMES VIDEO – U.S. Congress Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) co-sponsor in the Senate of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), speaks in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021
(Photo by Gary Raynaldo / ©Diplomatic Times ) Supporters of equal access to abortion at rally following passage of Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021.
Diplomatic Times Video – Supporters of equal access to abortion at rally following passage of Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), in Washington D.C. Sept. 29, 2021.
