Senate Democrats Unveil Pro-Choice Bill To Prevent States From Chipping Away At Abortion Rights

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2013/11/13/2936361/senate-democrats-pro-choice/

Senate Democrats Unveil Pro-Choice Bill To Prevent States From Chipping Away At Abortion Rights

By Tara Culp-Ressler on November 13, 2013 at 2:23 pm


Last week, Senate Republicans introduced a national abortion ban that would chisel away at the constitutional rights guaranteed under Roe v. Wade. Now, their Democratic colleagues are striking back with some abortion-related legislation of their own. On Wednesday, a group of pro-choice senators plan to introduce the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2013, a measure intended to stem the barrage of state-level restrictions on reproductive rights.

snip//

While the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2013 wouldn’t immediately supersede the existing state restrictions, it would set the stage for court challenges to officially overturn them.

“This assault on essential, constitutionally protected rights has gone on too long,” Blumenthal writes in an op-ed published on the Huffington Post. “We are introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2013 this week to end it, once and for all. Our bill would stop states from subjecting reproductive health care providers to burdensome requirements that are not applied to medical professionals providing similar services.”

It’s rare for women’s health supporters to go on the offensive. With the notable exception of California, which recently enacted several pieces of legislation to expand access to abortion, women’s health supporters are typically preoccupied with defending themselves against a steady stream of anti-choice attacks. Even in progressive states like New York, it’s proven difficult for pro-choice lawmakers to enact any proactive measures to move the ball forward on reproductive rights. Indeed, the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2013 represents the first piece of national legislation in nearly a decade that is specifically intended to protect — rather than undermine — abortion rights.

Planned Parenthood is applauding the initiative. “As the nation’s leading women’s health care provider and advocate, we see firsthand the terrible impact that these restrictions have on women — cutting thousands of women off from access to safe and legal abortion, and from basic preventive health care,” the group’s president, Cecile Richards, said in a statement. “This bill would ensure that a woman’s constitutional rights don’t depend on her zip code.”

[Swede Atlanta]

1. Why?

I applaud their intentions but this will go nowhere in the "I hate women" House.

The House hates women that are not subservient to their husbands, take their abuse including rape, bear their children and worship the ground they walk on. If all women do that they are okay but still not the same as men.

If women can control their reproductive lives then they cannot be so easily enslaved in the male-dominated society. That is why they will oppose ANY protection women have to control their own reproductive destinies including abortion.

[babylonsister]

2. Why not?

I hope everyone in the House isn't barking mad; perhaps that's their hope, too.

[Chaco Dundee]

8. this is sad.

What needs to happen is that women withhold any and all sexual contact until their rights are guaranteed and edged in stone.than again we know where that
would lead.
Men need to be deprived of their rights until they sign up.then and only then can they earn their reasonable rights one by one.

[hughee99]

11. What "rights" are you suggesting men be deprived of? n/t

[Chaco Dundee]

16. so many thoughts

Any right which might create an impossible situation in their life and health such as having prostrate trouble untreated because women don't see it necessary.

[hughee99]

17. I didn't know prostate treatment was a right? n/t

[Chaco Dundee]

19. slick

It can not categorically be denied.it's a right.

[idwiyo]

5. Better try and lose, then never try for the fear it will not succeed.

At least this way pro-choice women and men will know who is who in Congress and Senate.

[CTyankee]

21. I'm sure that part of this is to get some of these bastids to go on the record as being against

women's rights. We know that the American people don't want to see Roe undone. The RWingers must know it, too. The only way to make inroads on some of the House members is to get the women in their districts fighting mad...the bastids ain't gonna like it...

[idwiyo]

3. k&r

[uppityperson]

4. Good, k&r

[IrishAyes]

6. Sounds good to me!

Some people think that since my reproductive years are long past, I shouldn't be concerned about this issue, but it's the right thing to do and better for everyone all around, now and later. Hopefully the young girls of today will grow up in a much better and therefore more productive environment.

[CTyankee]

13. Hey, I'm old, too! Let's both hope for our young girls to grow up strong feminists!

And I've got grandsons, too, who I want to stand strong for women and their rights! I have a son and 2 sons in laws who are proud defenders of women's rights!

[IrishAyes]

15. Tell 'em for me how much I appreciate and admire that.

[BrotherIvan]

7. That's the kind of fight I want to see!

It's great to see the Democrats take the offense. Makes me want to vote FOR them instead of against the nutters. Keep going. You may not win, but keep going. This fight is far too important to give up.

[babylonsister]

9. Amen, BrotherIvan!

[freshwest]

10. Some of the best news this year. Among many good things.

[theHandpuppet]

12. 'Bout damn time!

Time to fight back. We're mad as hell and aren't going to take this shit anymore!

[glowing]

14. What is this? Can it be that the party who holds the senate and White House is going on the offense

I know it doesn't have much chance of even being brought up for a vote without a filibuster or if passed, that it would leave Boehner's desk... However it certainly sets up the Dems as pro-woman and leaves the Neanderthals in the puke party still dragging their knuckles on the ground.

[spanone]

18. damn, it's about time. k&r...

[scheming daemons]

20. Now let's give the speaker gavel back to Nancy so we can pass this