WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (CO-1) and Barbara Lee (CA-13), Congresswoman Kathy Manning (NC-6), and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) to mark the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion. Below is a transcript of her remarks:
"Thank you, Mr. Leader. I am so proud to stand with this Caucus as we mark this critical anniversary of taking away — rolling back — 50 years of a constitutional right under Trump's Supreme Court."What has happened in the last two years? 27 million American women now live under health care bans. Doctors are being criminalized. IVF and contraception are under attack.
"And what does this mean? Let me share with you a story from my second pregnancy, where a routine ultrasound showed that there was no longer a fetal heartbeat. And, when I needed abortion care — because there wasn't a full miscarriage — to prevent infection, to preserve future fertility, I got that care. Without question.
"Fast forward to a post-Dobbs and post-Roe v. Wade Texas: Amanda Zurawski’s water broke at 18-weeks pregnant. Her pregnancy could not survive. Yet her doctor, because of criminal penalties, could not give the care she recommended. She was told to go home — wait for infection to set in.
"And it did. She had a sepsis infection. Spent days in the ICU. Barely survived. And, today, does not know if she will ever be able to become pregnant again.
"What is the difference in the outcome of our two stories of miscarriage? It is Donald Trump and the GOP, who have dismantled women's health care and reproductive freedom in this country.
"We are at a crossroads. We are going to choose freedom or we are going to choose extremism.
"And every single time this has come before Americans for a vote, they have chosen freedom. That is in Kansas, Michigan, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky. Every single time, Americans stand with freedom — and this Caucus and this President stand with them.
"And I am so pleased to introduce a champion for reproductive freedom. A champion for returning these critical decisions to American women and American families, where they belong: Co-Chair of our Pro-Choice Caucus, Barbara Lee."
The full press conference can be viewed HERE. Photos of the event can be viewed HERE.
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