On the 51st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Warren Delivers Floor Speech on Fight to Restore Abortion Rights
Washington, D.C. – United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) delivered a passionate floor speech in the Senate on the 51st anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade. She emphasized the urgent need to restore and protect abortion rights amid a coordinated effort by extremist Republicans to dismantle reproductive freedom.
Senator Warren acknowledged the devastating consequences of restricted abortion access, which has left many individuals unable to obtain necessary medical care. She highlighted the difficulties faced by students seeking help, the insurmountable hurdles imposed on poor women, and the confusion and fear experienced by children who have survived rape and become pregnant.
In her speech, Senator Warren did not mince words about the orchestrated attack on reproductive freedom. She pointed to the decades-long campaign by Republican extremists to undermine Roe v. Wade, aided by generous funding and the appointment of anti-abortion judges. These efforts, coupled with the control of state and local governments, have resulted in severe restrictions on abortion access and the criminalization of doctors who perform abortions.
Over the past year and a half, more than 20 states have enacted legislation banning or severely limiting abortion, while also threatening access to pregnancy care, miscarriage care, and fertility assistance. These well-organized and well-funded extremist groups have further sought to restrict access through legal challenges, hoping to undermine reproductive rights in states that support a woman’s right to choose.
Senator Warren, however, sees a glimmer of hope in this distressing chapter of reproductive rights. She recognizes that this moment marks both the end of a 40-year Republican plan to reverse Roe v. Wade and the beginning of a new era for the movement. Throughout the country, millions of Americans, from traditionally liberal states to more conservative regions such as Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio, have rallied in support of reproductive freedom.
The Biden-Harris administration has also taken a strong stance in protecting reproductive rights. From defending medication abortion against baseless lawsuits to preserving access to care for service members and veterans, their commitment to upholding reproductive freedom is evident.
Despite the majority of Americans opposing the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Republican lawmakers persist in their efforts to curtail reproductive rights. Senator Warren highlighted their introduction of legislation to ban abortion nationwide and their willingness to revive a 19th-century anti-obscenity law through a potential Republican presidency.
To combat these threats, President Biden has called on Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. This crucial legislation aims to safeguard human rights and roll back the extreme abortion bills enacted by right-wing legislatures across the country. Senator Warren stressed the urgent need to secure the necessary congressional support to accomplish this.
She recognized the challenges ahead but drew strength from the collective determination displayed by millions of people who have marched for abortion rights, made countless calls to Congressional offices, and supported individuals like Kate Cox in Texas and Brittany Watts in Ohio. Senator Warren believes that with this unwavering resolve, regardless of the difficulties, success is within reach.
As the fight for reproductive freedom enters a new phase, Senator Elizabeth Warren called upon Americans to join her in advocating for the restoration of abortion rights and the protection of decisions regarding one’s own body and future. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
In Conclusion
Senator Elizabeth Warren took to the Senate floor on the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade to address the urgent need to restore and protect abortion rights. She condemned the extremist Republicans who have long sought to dismantle reproductive freedom, highlighting the devastating consequences of restricted access to necessary medical care. Despite the challenges ahead, Senator Warren remains resolute and called on Americans to join her in the fight to secure the human right to make decisions about one’s own body and future.
