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Statement from DGA Chair Gov. Phil Murphy on 50th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

From the Chair’s Desk

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On the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, DGA Chair Gov. Phil Murphy released the following statement:

“50 years after the U.S. Supreme Court established a constitutional right to an abortion, we are unfortunately at a crisis moment for the future of abortion access. After the Supreme Court ripped up Roe v. Wade, MAGA Republicans in governor’s mansions, state houses and Congress are dead-set on dragging our nation back half a century with extreme bans that in some cases have no exceptions. That means the reality for millions of Americans is that your rights depend on who your governor is. In the face of these Republican attacks, Democratic governors across the country are leading the fight to protect our fundamental freedoms and ensure women don’t have fewer rights than they did over 50 years ago.” 

Here’s how Democratic governors across the country have taken action to protect reproductive rights in post-Roe America:

 

  • Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer filed a lawsuit to protect reproductive rights by directly challenging Michigan’s abortion ban from 1931. She also vetoed more than $16 million in anti-abortion funding proposed by Michigan Republicans.
  • Maine Gov. Janet Mills recently announced legislation to strengthen Maine’s reproductive health care laws and make clear that the decision about an abortion later in pregnancy will be made by patients in consultation with qualified medical professionals.
  • New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation repealing a 1969 state statute that criminalized abortion.
  • New York Gov. Kathy Hochul proposed a series of actions to make New York a safe harbor for abortion rights, including expanding abortion access on SUNY and CUNY campuses, allowing pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraception, enacting additional data protections for patients seeking reproductive health care, and fortifying the reproductive health care system through increased Medicaid reimbursement rates. Gov. Hochul also directed state agencies to launch a public information campaign that includes a patient bill of rights so New Yorkers know their reproductive rights.
  • Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, in her first State of the State Address, urgedthe legislature to put bills on her desk that protect women, support families and create a future where anyone regardless of gender can succeed.
  • Maryland Gov. Maura Healey challenged unconstitutional abortion restrictions across the country and took on the Trump Administration for its attacks on reproductive rights as attorney general. As governor, she has committed to continue to protect the right to choose.
  • Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is committed to standing up and defending reproductive rights in Oregon. As speaker of the Oregon House, she led the way to pass the nation’s strongest abortion access long, the Reproductive Health Equity Act.

 

  • California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation to eliminate out-of-pocket costs for abortion services, ensuring cost is not a barrier to accessing care. In his first year in office, Gov. Newsom signed a Proclamation on Reproductive Freedom reaffirming California’s commitment to protecting reproductive choices.
  • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed the Reproductive Health Equity Act — a law that affirms that pregnant people in Colorado have the right to continue a pregnancy and give birth or have an abortion, and it blocks public entities from denying or restricting that right.
  • Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont signed a first-in-the-nation bill expanding abortion rights in the state by protecting anyone from facing penalties under other states’ anti-abortion laws. He also launched a reproductive rights telephone hotline and website to help people seeking information on abortion services in the state get connected to the resources they need.
  • Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro challenged anti-abortion laws across the country as attorney general. In his inaugural address to Pennsylvanians, Gov. Shapiro pledged to keep abortion legal in the Commonwealth.
  • Delaware Gov. John Carney signed a first-in-the-nation law that codified Roe’s protections into Delaware law.
  • Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation establishing access to abortion as a “fundamental right” and required insurance coverage for abortion, contraception, and related medical care. Gov. Pritzker also recently signed legislation protecting patients from out-of-state who seek abortion care in Illinois.
  • Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, on his first day in office, released $3.5 million in funding withheld by his Republican predecessor for reproductive health care. The funding will be used to train additional clinicians to perform abortions.
  • Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz publicly threatened to veto any legislation restricting abortion access that reaches his desk.
  • New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced funding for reproductive health care providers as part of ongoing efforts to expand protections for and access to reproductive health care in New Jersey. The funding includes zero-percent interest loans for upgrades at reproductive health care facilities and grants for security enhancements. The Governor signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice into law last year, codifying reproductive rights into state law for the first time. He also restored funding for Planned Parenthood and other women’s health care providers as one of his early actions in office.
  • North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed two Republican-backed bills that he said would have put “unnecessary” barriers between women and their doctors when seeking abortions and health care.
  • Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee continues to reaffirm his support for reproductive health care. His recently announced state budget fortifies reproductive health protections by adding abortion coverage to Rhode Island’s Medicaid program and to the insurance coverage for state employees.
  • Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law that prohibits legal action against people seeking an abortion and those who aid them.
  • Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers is leading the charge to remove a centuries-old abortion ban and permanently protect the right to choose into law. An unwavering defender of reproductive rights since taking office, Evers has vetoed several bills that would’ve restricted access to reproductive health care access.