WASHINGTON– Republicans in Ohio just introduced sweeping legislation that would completely ban IVF, ban abortion with no exceptions for rape and charge women who receive an abortion with homicide, and ban forms of contraception – flying in the face of voters who supported a 2023 constitutional amendment to protect abortion access. Republicans continue to abuse state legislatures as testing grounds for their extreme and dangerous policies.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Republicans forcing anti-abortion extremism onto their voters who clearly support reproductive freedom is tragically nothing new in state legislative politics. With abortion rights left entirely up to the states, Republicans continue to advance the most dangerous attacks, while state Democrats remain our communities’ best champions when it comes to accessible and safe reproductive health care. Democrats in state legislatures are the last leaders with the power to make progress on protections for abortion providers and patients, and these will remain top priorities.”
In stark contrast to the extremism coming out of Republican-led legislatures, here’s a look at some of the reproductive freedom bills Democrats have worked on in legislative sessions:
- New York Democrats provided protections for health care providers who prescribe abortion medication to out-of-state patients.
- Virginia Democrats passed a bill that requires health insurance to cover contraceptives and establish a right to contraception, and legislation that would enshrine abortion rights through a constitutional amendment.
- Anticipating GOP attacks on reproductive freedom, Democrats in California passed bills that prohibit providers from releasing patients’ abortion-related medical information to other states and protect providers and distributors of abortion medication from liability.
- Illinois Democrats passed bills to require colleges and universities to ensure students have access to contraception and abortion medication, and to protect providers who prescribe abortion medication.
- Delaware Senate Democrats passed a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights.
- California Democrats are also supporting the Attorney General with a bill that allows them to fine local governments for blocking the opening of abortion care providers.
- Democrats in Colorado passed a bill that would protect abortion providers who give care to patients from anti-abortion states.
- Massachusetts Democrats introduced a bill that empowers health care providers to make the best decisions for their patients seeking an abortion.
- Maryland Democrats expanded abortion access with a Public Health Grant Program Fund.
- Democrats in Maine and Nevada passed bills that protect doctors who provide reproductive health care.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the campaign arm of Democratic state legislatures and leads the national strategy for building power and winning new majorities. Over the last three decades, we have strategized cycle over cycle to win majorities and lead the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level, winning nearly a dozen new chamber majorities over the last decade. Our work has ensured that nearly half of Americans are represented by at least one Democratic majority in their statehouse. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class and advancing opportunity, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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