Attacks on choice in Washington and DC
A core value of the Democratic Party is respect for women and their right to make independent decisions about their reproductive healthcare. It’s one of the clearest contrasts between our parties that the Republicans have so quickly begun their assault on a woman’s right to choose once Trump’s presidency began.
Here in Washington, anti-choice activists gathered at the Capitol on Monday. What did Republicans have to say?
“With a new administration, there is hope! Hope!,” state Sen. Mark Miloscia, R-Federal Way, said of Donald Trump’s assuming the presidency. Trump has vowed to appoint an anti-abortion justice to fill an empty U.S. Supreme Court seat.
The optimism carried over to state politics, with McEntee saying, “We are closer than ever to passing pro-life legislation in this state.”
State Sen. Steve O’Ban, R-University Place, called Planned Parenthood, which provides abortions along with other health services, “a corrupt organization that offers limited services.”
Miloscia and O’Ban both represent swing districts that are winnable by Democrats – Miloscia will be up for re-election in 2018 in the Federal Way area. We are already getting to work to defeat these anti-choice Republicans and win these seats for Democrats!
In the meantime, Washington State Republicans are hearing SB 5320 this Thursday in the Senate Law & Justice committee – a bill to restrict access to abortion for young women in challenging households by giving them no choice about whether to involve their parents in the decision.
Most teens already involve their parents in their pregnancy decisions, but we all know that in the real world some of our daughters’ friends can’t or won’t, so what’s most important is that they’re safe. We have all known families where abuse, addiction or worse would make it unsafe for a young woman to be forced to notify her parents. And teens who for whatever reason can’t or won’t tell their parents still need safe access to medical care.
Here is the contact information for the members of the Senate Law & Justice Committee – before this Thursday’s hearing, you can contact them and let them know that Washington is pro-choice, we oppose SB 5320, and we won’t stand to see women’s rights rolled back in pursuit of the radical Republican social agenda!
In DC, Trump himself wasted no time towards rolling back women’s rights. Here’s Trump signing his anti-choice executive order – what’s wrong with this picture?
Trump, surrounded by other white men, signed an executive order reinstating what’s called the Global Gag Rule, which was first put in place by President Ronald Reagan in 1984. The order prohibits giving U.S. funding to international nongovernmental organizations that offer or advise on a wide range of family planning and reproductive health options if they include abortion ― even if U.S. dollars are not specifically used for abortion-related services.
The United States spends about $600 million a year on international assistance for family planning and reproductive health programs, making it possible for 27 million women and couples to access contraceptive services and supplies.
Senate Democrats have already discussed a legislative response to protect this critical funding for women worldwide. Together, we can stand up to Trump and work to defend women’s rights in America and across the world.
Thanks for reading – you can reach us at communications@wa-democrats.org with your thoughts and feedback. Let’s keep a spotlight on the legislature this year and we’ll stay in touch with you about how we can work together to fight back, beat the Republicans, and deliver wins for the people of Washington!
The WA Democrats Communications Team
