WASHINGTON — Today, abortion trigger bans in Texas, Tennessee, and Idaho went into effect, putting even more restrictive measures into place. Republicans in all three of these states have already passed abortion bans, but the new measures will further restrict the ability of millions of Americans to make personal health care decisions. These new measures include outlawing abortion with no exceptions for rape or incest in Tennessee, a near-total ban in Idaho that could imprison doctors for up to five years, and even stricter punishments for health care professionals in Texas, who now risk life in prison for providing health care. The battle for abortion rights is happening in the states right now, and as Republicans work to abolish this right, Democrats must focus down ballot to fight back.
“Trigger bans across the country have now gone into effect, and it is abundantly clear that the future of abortion rights will be decided by the states,” said DLCC President Jessica Post. “Republicans are implementing the most extreme abortion laws they can, while Democrats in legislatures across the country have protected abortion rights for their constituents and those in neighboring states. Make no mistake, Republicans are working to insert politics into personal decisions — and Americans are ready to hold them accountable at the ballot box this November.”
In sharp contrast to this Republican extremism, Democrats in 17 states and Washington, D.C. have protected or expanded access to reproductive care. The DLCC launched the “States to Save Roe” campaign to help Democrats and the DLCC fight back against Republican attacks on abortion rights. By electing state Democrats and protecting Democratic chambers, Democrats can serve as a firewall for access to reproductive health care and services.
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