Catholics for Choice Celebrates Continued House Action on Reproductive Care, Demands Senate Follow Suit and Abolish Filibuster
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, July 21, 2022
Contact: John Becker, Press Secretary
Phone: 202-203-0931
Email: jbecker@catholicsforchoice.org
Catholics for Choice Celebrates Continued House Action on Reproductive Care, Demands Senate Follow Suit and Abolish Filibuster
WASHINGTON – Catholics for Choice, which uplifts and amplifies the voices of the majority of Catholics who believe in reproductive freedom, issued the following statement from Policy Director Shannon Russell, JD today after the House of Representatives passed legislation protecting the right to use and provide birth control:
“The House of Representatives, led by pro-choice Catholic Speaker Nancy Pelosi, continues to act boldly and decisively to address the nation’s ongoing reproductive healthcare crisis. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade – and Justice Clarence Thomas cruelly encouraged the same fate for Griswold v. Connecticut and Obergefell v. Hodges – the House has taken proactive steps to safeguard our dearly-held rights.
“After passing the Respect for Marriage Act (HR 8404) in a bipartisan vote earlier this week, today the House approved the Right to Contraception Act (HR 8373), codifying the right to access and provide a wide range birth control methods, devices, and medications into federal law. Birth control is necessary healthcare used by 98% of Catholic women at some point in their lives to plan and support their families, manage health conditions, and achieve their educational and employment goals. Catholics for Choice is honored to endorse the Right to Contraception Act and thanks Reps. Kathy Manning, Nikema Williams, Sara Jacobs, and Angie Craig for championing this essential legislation.
“The House is working overtime to pass bills protecting and upholding reproductive freedom, but their proposals face a major obstacle: the outdated and racist Senate filibuster, which allows a handful of senators to block common-sense measures that most people support. Indeed, 61% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases and 57% support congressional action to guarantee abortion rights. Compelled by our Catholic faith – which calls us to advance the common good, prioritize the most marginalized, and ensure that all people have the ability to participate in public life – Catholics for Choice demands that the Senate abolish the filibuster and listen to the will of the American people. Ending the filibuster will bring us closer to true equality and democracy, protect our civil and human rights, and help us build a society where all voices, especially those most harmed by abortion bans and restrictions, are heard. It is the right thing to do.”
Catholics for Choice shapes and advances sexual and reproductive ethics that are based on justice, reflect a commitment to a person’s well-being and respect, and affirm the capacity of all people to make moral decisions about their lives.
