Murray Joins Roundtable with State Leaders Fighting to Protect Reproductive Rights, Highlights that Extreme Republicans “Will Not Stop at Restricting Abortion”

***WATCH: DPCC Roundtable on Reproductive Rights in the States***

 Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, joined a roundtable hosted by the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC) on the fight for reproductive freedom in states across the country. At the roundtable, Senator Murray stressed that across the country extreme Republicans are going beyond just attacking abortion providers in their own states—they are also attacking medication abortion, limiting what Americans can receive in the mail, and going after Americans’ birth control, including Plan B and IUDs.

The roundtable, entitled “Turning Back the Clock on Women’s Freedom in the States,” included Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (D), Missouri State House Rep. Emily Weber (D), and Oklahoma State House Rep. Ajay Pittman (D).

“We’re doing everything we can here in Congress to protect the right to abortion and fight back against Republicans’ cruel agenda to force women to stay pregnant—but still, I know that so much of this fight is going to continue to be in the states—and I’m glad to have leaders like all of you on the frontlines,” said Senator Murray.

“Right now, we’re seeing Republicans across the country go beyond just attacking abortion providers in their own states, to attack medication abortion as well—trying to limit what Americans can receive in the mail and do in their own houses. I’d like to ask each of you: is this a threat you’re seeing in your states?” Senator Murray asked the state leaders.

Senator Murray also asked Representative Pitman about the Oklahoma abortion ban, which will be signed into law soon by the Oklahoma Governor—and will be the strictest abortion ban in the country.

“Representative Pitman, as soon as tomorrow—if not today—your governor will sign into law a bill effectively banning abortion in your state, all enforced by empowering neighbors to sue neighbors. This was passed despite Democrats in your state legislature urging Republicans to focus instead on funding family planning programs, or supporting kids living in poverty. What will this mean for women in your state—particularly women of color and those with the tightest budgets? Will this create a health care crisis?” asked Senator Murray.

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