Today in Grand Rapids, Senator Stabenow, Lt. Governor Gilchrist, Representative Scholten, and reproductive rights advocates discussed the stakes for abortion rights in 2024
VIEW THE VIDEO RECORDING HERE.
GRAND RAPIDS — Today, on the 51st anniversary of Roe v. Wade the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) held a press conference raising awareness of the high stakes of this November’s election, Trump’s plans for a national abortion ban, and the importance of flipping the US House and protecting the Senate from MAGA control.
“For 50 years, Republicans worked very hard to roll back the federal right to abortion in our country, and then Donald Trump was elected, he appointed new Supreme Court justices, and they finally did it,” said Senator Debbie Stabenow. “Then, young people were left with fewer freedoms than their moms and their grandmas. In Michigan, we did something about it. That’s what we do in Michigan. If Donald Trump is elected president and we have a US House and Senate that is Republican, all of our progress here in Michigan to protect your rights will be stripped away. The only way to protect this is to re-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, maintain my Senate seat as a pro-choice seat, make sure Hillary Scholten comes roaring back to the US House, and that we have the state House in the hands of Democrats. That’s the job.”
During the press conference, Michigan Democrats uplifted the strides made here in Michigan for reproductive freedom while also highlighting how quickly it can all be undone with a national abortion ban.
“While we aren’t done fighting for reproductive rights here in Michigan, another Donald Trump presidency could override all the important work that we have done,” said Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist. “If MAGA Republicans gain control in this election and follow through on their threats to enact a national abortion ban, Michiganders’ access to health care could once again be under threat. This November, the country will once again have to choose between a President who listens to the 80% of Americans who oppose an abortion ban and someone who bragged about overturning Roe and has promised to lead the charge on a national abortion ban if re-elected. The difference is night and day, and the stakes for abortion access have never been higher.”
One thing is clear — a MAGA Republican-controlled House will keep pushing for archaic, anti-abortion laws no matter what. Laws banning and restricting abortion are both wildly unpopular and incredibly dangerous for the country – and we must flip the House back to protect these rights.
“This November, we have to protect every Democratic seat in Congress and work to flip the House to stop MAGA Republicans’ attempts to enact a national abortion ban,” said Representative Hillary Scholten. “Americans clearly know what’s at stake. In 2022, we successfully flipped my district to a Democratic seat for the first time in nearly 50 years. In states across the country, from Ohio to Kentucky, voters are turning out to protect their reproductive rights; we have done it before, and I know we can do it again.”
Medical decisions should be made between a patient and their provider — not by politicians. Reproductive freedom means making the best choice for your health, without the House of Representatives endangering your life.
“As a doctor, I’ve seen firsthand how difficult it is for pregnant people to get the care they need,” said Dr. Charita L. Roque, OB/GYN and abortion provider. “Every week I see patients that have traveled for hours to reach us, all while juggling childcare, work schedules, and tight finances. I am proud of the progress we’ve made in Michigan, but that progress is under threat. Let us all remember that reproductive freedom is on the ballot and we can take an important step toward addressing the inequities of our system by electing leaders that will protect these fundamental freedoms.”
“Michigan’s role in the fight for reproductive freedom has never been more important,” said Tessa Gawrylowicz, Midwest Regional Organizing Manager for Reproductive Freedom For All. “We continue to offer a path forward, leading the way as we work to protect our fundamental freedoms against a backdrop of unprecedented attacks from anti-abortion extremists, like the four Republicans running for Michigan’s Senate seat.”
You can view a recording of today’s press event HERE.
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