Washington, DC- Today, U.S. Representative Brenda L. Lawrence, Co-Chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, condemned the draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court detailing the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

"This is gut wrenching. From this draft opinion, a majority of the Supreme Court is set to overturn Roe v. Wade and rip up 50 years of precedent and women's rights. I can't stress enough the dangerous effect this will have on women and families across the country. We are already seeing states pass abortion bans to restrict reproductive freedom. And this opinion will only speed that process up. Let me be clear: abortion bans don't ban abortions, they just ban safe abortions. Those cheering this on do not live in reality. It sends a message that you don't believe that women should have autonomy over their own bodies or that you don't trust us to make our own health care decisions. Furthermore, the United States has a maternal mortality crisis, and it disproportionately affects Black women and other women of color. Striking down Roe v. Wade would cause maternal mortality to skyrocket.

"While this news is devastating, we cannot give up this fight. In September 2021, the House voted to pass the Women's Health Protection Act which would codify the vital protections in Roe v. Wade. It's time for the Senate to act now to pass this much-needed legislation. We don't have to wait for the Supreme Court to issue its final ruling, and we cannot sit on the sidelines any longer. Too many lives are at stake. In the meantime, remember: this is a draft opinion, abortion remains legal, and it is still a right."

On September 24, 2021, Rep. Lawrence voted to pass the Women's Health Protection Act. She is an original cosponsor of the legislation.