Day 283: Protecting Our Bodies

Today marks the 38th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision Roe v.Wade - the landmark decision that made abortion legal in the United States.

I join with other pro-choice supporters and those whose lives have been deeply impacted by this law in saying thank you to those who fought so diligently to ensure women have access to safe healthy reproductive procedures.

Thank you to the young, passionate attorneys who successfully argued the case, Sarah Weddington and Linda Coffee; the women who have marched to protect the right, the legislators who have fought to defeat measures that would erode that right, and the courageous doctors who continue to make this important procedure safe and available to women, despite threats to the safety of themselves and their families.

Below is an excerpt from Lulu Flores, President of the National Women's Political Caucus:

The 112th Congress ushers in a renewed effort to reverse women's rights. John Boehner (R-OH), the new Speaker of the House, made campaign promises to be the most "pro-life speaker in history."

Anti-abortion rights groups, including Susan B. Anthony List and Americans United for Life (AUL), announced plans to pressure Congress to pass the No Tax Payer Funding for Abortion Act, sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Dan Lipinski (D-IL), and the Title X Abortion Provider Act, introduced by Representative Mike Pence (R-IN).

The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act would prohibit taxpayer funding of abortions and would ensure that health care reform law does not cover the cost of abortions. The Title X Abortion Provider Act would prevent tax dollars from being sent to abortion providers receiving Title X family-planning grants. AUL has drafted 38 additional model anti-abortion bills.

We need more pro-choice, feminist women (and men) in our Congress. Your contribution to NWPC helps us to continue to recruit, train, and support great women candidates across the country.

Our work is never finished. There will always be those who want to deny women choice. Don't ever become complacent.