As Trump Admin Threatens Access to Abortion Medication, Democratic Governors Remain Last Line of Defense for Reproductive Freedom

As Trump Admin Threatens Access to Abortion Medication, Democratic Governors Remain Last Line of Defense for Reproductive Freedom

Anti-choice nominees make clear reproductive freedom will continue to loom large in governors’ races across the country  

During his confirmation hearing to be Donald Trump’s Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. signaled that he would declare mifepristone, a safe and commonly prescribed abortion medication, “unsafe,” putting access to abortion at risk – another reminder of how important it is to continue electing Democratic governors across the country.

 While the Trump administration continues to attack reproductive freedom, Democratic governors have been some of the country’s toughest fighters to protect access to safe, legal abortion services, including medication abortion. Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy became the latest governor to announce his state would be stockpiling “a six-month supply of mifepristone to ensure future abortion access as Republican attacks against the drug loom large.”

Murphy is one of several Democratic governors who have recently taken new measures to further safeguard reproductive freedom from Trump. One of North Carolina Governor Josh Stein’s first acts in office was to issue an executive order strengthening legal and data protections for patients and providers. This month alone,  Maryland Governor Wes Moore also signed a proclamation enshrining reproductive freedom in Maryland’s constitution and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill making it easier and more affordable for Michigan residents to fill birth control prescriptions.

The threat from Trump’s HHS nominee also ensures that threats to reproductive rights will remain a top issue in the upcoming races for governor, including in Virginia, where Lieutenant Governor and candidate for governor Winsome Earle-Sears cast the tie-breaking vote against protecting access to birth control yesterday.

“As Trump and his allies continue to attack and undermine reproductive freedom at every turn, Democratic governors will continue doing what they’ve always done: protect and strengthen reproductive freedom and ensure that their states will remain a safe haven for Americans seeking critical health care,” said DGA States Press Secretary Emma O’Brien. “With abortion rights under threat once more in Washington, the 38 key governor’s races over the next two years will offer a clear contrast between who will protect fundamental freedoms and who will threaten them.”

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