Pappas Condemns Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade, Reiterates Call for Congressional Action to Protect Choice
Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the following statement following the release of a Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wad
"This decision is a devastating blow against the health, well-being, and personal freedom of women in New Hampshire and all across our country. For nearly 50 years the right of women to make their own medical decisions has been the law of the land, and today a radical majority on the Supreme Court decision ripped that right away by opening the door for states to enact draconian laws limiting access to abortion and reproductive health care."
"The vast majority of people in New Hampshire and across the country support the right to choose. It's something that I have heard about non-stop as I traveled around my district, and my office has received thousands of messages in support of upholding Roe v. Wade since a draft of this decision was leaked. One woman shared her heartbreaking story of having a miscarriage and needing an abortion when doctors were unable to save her baby. Because she was able to have an abortion and access the medical care she needed, she remained healthy, and later went on to have a daughter and build a family. I fought to pass the Women's Health Protection Act to ensure no judge or politician can take away that care, or a person's right to make those health care decisions."
"Now that this decision has been issued, we must keep fighting to pass this life-saving legislation to protect women's personal freedoms, as well as legislation to enshrine all rights rooted in the right to privacy into law. This is not a fight I'm new to, and it's one I won't back down from."
Background
In September 2021, Pappas, a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, helped pass the Women's Health Protection Act, which codifies the constitutional right to abortion care as found in Roe and reaffirmed in many subsequent decisions for nearly half a century. Pappas is an original cosponsor of this legislation.
Also in September 2021, Pappas joined a bicameral amicus brief in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, urging the Supreme Court to uphold nearly 50 years of precedent in Roe v. Wade and protect the constitutional right to abortion care.
In February 2021, Pappas helped pass the Equality Act, which would explicitly prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Pappas is a co-chair of the House Equality Caucus and an original co-sponsor of this legislation.