Caucus Statement: Texas, Ohio Latest Symptoms of National Backslide on Women's Rights and Freedoms; Underscores Need for Pro-Choice State Legislators to Organize and Fight Back

Texas, Ohio Latest Symptoms of National Backslide on Women's Rights and Freedoms; Underscores Need for Pro-Choice State Legislators to Organize and Fight Back

New York – The New York State Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus issued the following statement in response to recent developments in Texas and Ohio, and the dramatic increase of anti-woman and anti-choice bills moving in state legislatures across the country:
 
"Ohio lawmakers are hijacking their state budget process to launch attacks on Planned Parenthood and reproductive health services while funneling money into deceptive so-called 'crisis pregnancy centers,' and Texas Gov. Rick Perry is calling a special session July 1 to push through the radical bill famously filibustered by Texas State Senator Wendy Davis (D-Ft. Worth) that would put truly extreme restrictions on Texan women's access to abortion and reproductive health services.

"These are just the latest developments in the most dramatic backslide in more than a generation for women's rights and reproductive freedom in this country. In 2012, 19 states enacted at least 43 new provisions to restrict access to abortion services, many of which facially violate the standards established by Roe v. Wade.

"As anti-choice forces fight to move us backward wherever they are able, we must fight back and move our laws into the 21st century everywhere we are able.

"The 88 members of the NYS BPCLC remain firmly committed to putting Roe v. Wade's protections on the books in New York State law. We are unified in our commitment to updating New York's outdated statutes to ensure no woman is denied the choices and the care that she is entitled to under federal law.

"Complacency is not an option. Pro-choice legislators must organize and demand action to protect women everywhere -- starting here in New York."

The mission of the New York State Bipartisan Pro-Choice Legislative Caucus (BPCLC) is to protect reproductive rights across the state, and provide a voice for pro-choice state legislators in policy debates at both the state and national level. The caucus is co-chaired by Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee, Senator Liz Krueger, and Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins.