In the News

WASHINGTON – Lawmakers from 25 states and 3 localities have joined together to introduce proactive legislation to protect women’s fundamental right to abortion. This demonstration of resolve is happening nationwide as newly-convened legislative sessions coincide with the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case, which was decided on January 22, 1973.

Ironically, the 45^th anniversary of Roe occurs under the 45^th President, an ardent abortion rights opponent. As a result, Roe—and all abortion rights—are threatened as never before. Donald Trump has promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who will overturn Roe v. Wade. He has already made one such appointment, and the nation is only one justice’s death or retirement away from the unprecedented rollback of a bedrock constitutional right.

Gloria Totten, President of the Public Leadership Institute, a nonpartisan policy organization based in Washington, D.C., explains: “If Roe is reversed, the legality of abortion is left up to the states and, at present, only seventeen states affirmatively protect the right to abortion. That’s why lawmakers are acting now.”

Arizona State Representative Athena Salman, who is introducing legislation that would ensure and expand access to abortion care by repealing all restrictions, remarks that “Every poll has found that about 70 percent of voters believe Roe v. Wade should be upheld. If the courts won’t do it, we will.”

NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri Executive Director, Alison Dreith said: “We have fought for 45 years to protect the right to abortion under Roe, and we are ready to fight another 45.”

Michigan State Senator Rebekah Warren insisted: “Protecting abortion rights is essential to women’s freedom, privacy and health.  We’ve had enough of the attacks.  Women deserve better.”

The Public Leadership Institute is working with policymakers and grassroots organizations across the country as part of an organizing effort in support of abortion rights in the states and localities.

Totten declares that: “We will do everything in our power to protect a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions. This is just the start of our nationwide effort to ensure every woman can access constitutionally-protected medical care.”