The Women’s Health Protection Act, sponsored by Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-Calif.), which the House passed last year, would nationalize access to abortion. The Abortion Access Act, spearheaded by Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (D-Tex.), would ensure women can travel freely across the country for medical care. No legislation will pass the Senate.
A group of Democratic senators tried. Led by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), from a state where abortion is legal and who is also at risk of losing re-election, they tried to force a vote on a freedom-to-travel bill by unanimous consent, a dramatic tactic to send a message about legislation that does not have the votes. It was blocked by Republicans.
Also this week, 18 Democrats in the Senate and 81 members of the House of Representatives sent a letter to the Biden administration asking it to declare a national public health emergency to provide more flexibility for patients and medical professionals to provide medical care. But Biden administration officials have so far been reluctant to act because there is little money to devote to the effort and they fear legal challenges from conservatives who would prevail in conservative courts.
Add Comment