Congresswoman Cherfilus-McCormick Issues Statement on President Biden's Executive Order Protecting Reproductive Care

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick issued the following statement after President Biden signed a new executive order to protect Americans’ access to reproductive health care: 

“Since the Supreme Court’s decision, Republican governors and state legislatures are imposing extreme laws banning a women’s right to choose – many don’t allow exceptions even for rape or incest.  And, Congressional Republicans are calling for a national ban on abortion.

“President Biden has made clear that the only way to secure a woman’s right to choose is for Congress to restore the protections of Roe as federal law.  The majority of Americans support a woman’s right to choose – Congress must act and the American people must use their voice. Until then, the President has committed to doing everything in his power to defend reproductive rights and protect access to safe and legal abortion.

“Today, the President signed an Executive Order protecting access to reproductive health care services.  The Executive Order builds on the actions the Administration has already taken to defend reproductive rights by safeguarding access to reproductive health care services, including abortion and contraception – building on steps HHS has already taken to ensure medication abortion, emergency contraception, long-acting contraception is as widely available as possible and the Attorney-General’s commitment to fight any attack by a state or local official who attempts to interference with women exercising their right to travel out of state for medical care. Protecting the privacy of patients and their access to accurate information – building on steps HHS Office of Civil Rights has taken to ensure doctors and medical providers and plans know that they are not required – with limited exceptions – to disclose patients’ private information. Promoting the safety and security of patients, providers, and clinics and finally coordinating the implementation of Federal efforts to protect reproductive rights and access to health care.

“Our pro-choice Democratic House Majority continues to prepare additional legislative action to respond to the Supreme Court’s appalling decision to rip away women’s reproductive rights.  Next week, we will again pass the Women’s Health Protection Act: landmark legislation enshrining the protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law.  We will also pass legislation addressing the GOP’s disturbing threats to restrict Americans’ freedom to travel — reaffirming the Constitutional right to seek care freely and voluntarily throughout the country.”