Senate Bill Would Continue to Block Access to Abortion for D.C. Residents With Low Incomes
For Immediate Release: Sept. 19, 2019
WASHINGTON — The Senate Appropriations Committee voted today to advance a FY2020 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) spending bill that includes a provision that blocks low income residents of the District of Columbia (D.C.) from accessing safe, legal abortion. In the markup, FSGG ranking member Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) expressed his disapproval of the measure and told his colleagues he hoped the issue could be resolved as the bill moves forward. The House of Representatives previously stopped Republican leadership’s efforts to block safe, legal abortion access in D.C. for people with low-incomes.
Statement from Jacqueline Ayers, Vice President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
“It is shameful that the committee is imposing a dangerous political agenda on the people of Washington, D.C. Residents of the District of Columbia do not want to see access to abortion limited, and they certainly didn’t vote for the Senators trying to do this to their city. This measure unfairly targets those who are already struggling to get by. We thank our champions in the House who are listening to the 77 percent of people across the country who want their health and rights protected. It’s time for the Senate to work to expand access to reproductive health care, including abortion, not look for opportunities to take our health care away.”
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.