Women’s Health and Rights

Reproductive Health

I strongly support reproductive freedom and have always stood against attacks on reproductive rights. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court repealed 50 years of precedent with their decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeaster PA. v. Casey.

I have been a longtime supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would prohibit medically unnecessary requirements or restrictions on abortion services, enshrining protection to abortion access into federal law. This Congress I also voted for the Access to Birth Control Act, which would guarantee women can continue using contraception if that precedent is overturned by the Supreme Court, and the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act, which would protect women’s right to travel across state lines for abortion services. At heart, I believe that every woman must be empowered to make her own decisions regarding her reproductive health without government intrusion and deserves access to the best medical care available.

The right to bodily autonomy should protect a woman’s ability to control her own reproductive health: this includes providing a support system for women at all stages. I have and will continue to support efforts to reduce unplanned pregnancies by expanding access to family planning services and comprehensive sex education.

Fair Pay

I was proud to cast one of my first votes in Congress for the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act to restore a woman’s right to challenge unfair pay. Unfortunately, pay disparity remains an issue. I’ve co-sponsored and voted for the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would help address the problem. The bill would amend the Equal Pay Act and Fair Labor Standards Act to implement stronger protections against gender-based pay discrimination.