Congresswoman Lee Condemns Republican Assault on Women's Reproductive Rights

Congresswoman Lee delivered a strong rebuke to Congressional Republicans attempting to roll back women's reproductive freedoms.

"House Republicans have shown they will stop at nothing to undermine women's constitutional rights," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. "H.R. 7 is an extreme, ideological assault on women and their health care. Instead of trusting women, this legislation invites politicians and employers into the exam room. The aim of this bill is clear: to further limit women's access to abortion, which would disproportionately harm low-income women, women of color, and young people."

H.R. 7 would make the Hyde Amendment permanent, prevent women from spending their own money to purchase comprehensive private health insurance and prohibit the District of Columbia from spending its own funds to provide reproductive healthcare. Congresswoman Lee offered an amendment in the Rules Committee recognizing that women, not employers or politicians, have the right to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions. Republicans defeated the amendment in committee.

"This attack on abortion rights comes just one day after President Trump signed an Executive Order imposing a dramatically expanded Global Gag Rule, which will have devastating consequences on the lives of women around the world," Congresswoman Lee added. "This weekend, millions of women around the country marched in defense of their rights. Instead of interfering in women's personal health decisions, Republicans should listen to the countless women demanding respect from their elected officials."

Congresswoman Lee is a member of the Appropriations Committee, Vice Chair of the Steering & Policy Committee, former chair of the Congressional Black Caucus and former co-chair of the Progressive Caucus and a Senior Democratic Whip. She serves as chair of the Democratic Whip Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality and Opportunity.