Rep. Keith Ellison: Health Care Choices Should Be Made By A Woman And Her Doctor

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), Co-Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement today after House Republicans passed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, a bill that prohibits abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.

"The Supreme Court's 1972 landmark decision of Roe v. Wade affirmed the constitutionality of a woman's right have control over her own health care. Yet Republicans have continued their attempts to undercut the rights of women to make personal decisions about their care. Today Republicans voted to erode the rights of women by limiting the medical options women have during pregnancy.

"Every woman should have access to reproductive health care. Every pregnancy is different, and the choice of what is best for each woman should be decided by her and her doctor, not by politicians in Congress. An expectant mother with a life threatening condition should be able to decide her best course of action, not bureaucrats in Washington. This is a private, legally protected decision. Women should retain the right to make their own medical decisions, and not be subjected to attempts to strip them of their constitutionally protected rights."

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