Video Release: Schneider Defends Roe v. Wade on House Floor, Calls for Action

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) called on members of the Senate to work together to defend women's reproductive freedom, following the recently unearthed draft opinion of the court with the intent to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Video of the speech can be found here.

The full text of his remarks can be found below:

I rise today to support and in defense of women's reproductive freedom and equal right to comprehensive health care.

The leaked legal opinion shows the Supreme Court is likely to overturn Roe v. Wade— the critical precedent that has protected women's right to bodily autonomy for nearly 50 years. Suddenly, millions of women across America are on the brink of being denied their fullest rights and America is about to become less free. Undeterred, Republicans are now publicly talking about a national abortion ban – state's rights not withstanding. We are staring down an emergency.

I was a young teen when the Supreme Court ruled on Roe v. Wade. That remarkable ruling meant that my generation would not have to suffer the cruel and dangerous world where abortion was illegal.

My generation, and all who have come after, have benefited beyond measure from ensuring that women have control over their bodies and are able to make their personal healthcare decisions in private counsel with their families and their doctors without having to risk their safety or their lives.

In the House, we passed the Women's Health Protection Act to codify Roe. Across the Capitol yesterday, fifty-one Senators turned their back on women's rights and voted against this legislation. It is shameful. I am calling on the Senate to work together to protect women across the country. We cannot afford to backslide. We must preserve access to safe medical procedures and respect women's bodily autonomy.

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