Contact: Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
WASHINGTON, DC -- Today, the Senate failed to begin debate on the Women’s Health Protection Act for a second time, as Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) voted with all 50 Republicans to block the bill’s advancement. The Women’s Health Protection Act would codify the abortion and reproductive health protections of Roe v. Wade into federal law and block many of the extreme state-level restrictions on reproductive healthcare that have been recently passed.
Today’s vote comes on the heels of last week’s leaked Supreme Court draft opinion that would, if adopted by a majority of the Justices, overturn the long-held precedent in Roe v. Wade. Minority Leader McConnell has already remarked that if Republicans regain a majority in the Senate after the next election, “it’s possible” they will hold a vote on a nationwide abortion ban. As it currently stands, 23 states have so-called “trigger laws” that will outlaw abortion as soon as Roe is overturned with others poised to possibly pass similar laws. A strong majority of Americans (72 percent) believe the decision of whether or not to have an abortion should be the pregnant person’s choice, including 55 percent of Republican and right-leaning voters.
This Saturday, May 14, the Sierra Club will join with allies from Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Women’s March, MoveOn, UltraViolet and more in streets across the country in support of abortion access.
In response, Eva Hernandez-Simmons, the Sierra Club’s Managing Director, issued the following statement:
“Republican Senators and Senator Joe Manchin have voted to reject people’s bodily autonomy, reproductive rights, and the right to privacy. Shame on them. Every person in this country deserves the right to live in healthy and safe communities with access to clean air, clean water, and healthcare, full stop. The Sierra Club is united with our allies in demanding that our fundamental constitutional right to abortions and healthcare be upheld, and we will be taking to the streets this Saturday to demand our voices be heard.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.