SIECUS Applauds the U.S. House of Representatives on Passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act and Urges the Senate to Follow
For Immediate Release:
September 24, 2021
Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3755, the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA) of 2021 by a vote of 218-211. The bill, which will advance to the Senate for consideration, protects the right to access abortion care throughout the United States.
On May 17th, the Supreme Court announced it will hear a case challenging a Mississippi ban on abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy that presents a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. SIECUS has joined numerous allies across the country on an amicus brief led by the National Center for Lesbian Rights in opposition to this harmful state law.
Christine Soyong Harley, President and CEO of SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change released the following statement:
“SIECUS has served as the national voice for sex education, sexual health and sexual rights for over 55 years. Sexual and reproductive health is a human right, and equal access to abortion care is essential to social and economic equality, and reproductive justice.
“We cannot have reproductive justice until all people have the economic, social and political power to make decisions about their bodies, health, sexuality, families and communities with dignity and self-determination. Yet, hundreds of state-level laws have restricted and banned abortion, making this potentially life-saving care extremely difficult to access, especially for people who already face significant barriers to care including: Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) individuals; those working to make ends meet; members of the LBGBTQI+ community; immigrants; young people; those living in rural communities; and people with disabilities.
“Recent polls show that 77% of Americans want abortion rights to remain legal in the United States. We are pleased that the House of Representatives has stood in solidarity with the vast majority of Americans and the communities fighting for racial, economic and reproductive justice. We urge the Senate to act swiftly, and send this important bill to the President to sign into law.”
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SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has served as the national voice for sex education for more than 55 years, asserting that sexuality is a fundamental part of being human, one worthy of dignity and respect. Through policy, advocacy, education, and strategic communications efforts, SIECUS advances sex education as a vehicle for social change—working toward a world where all people can access and enjoy sexual and reproductive freedom as they define it for themselves.
