(Washington, D.C.) - Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), the top Democrat on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, issued the following statement on the Supreme Court ruling in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt that a Texas law restricting women’s access to safe, legal abortion care is unconstitutional. Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt is the first major Supreme Court case involving restrictions on women’s access to abortion in more than two decades.
“Four decades ago, the Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional right of every woman, no matter where she lives, to make her own decisions about her body, her family, and her future. Today’s ruling recognizes that a right means nothing without the ability to exercise that right-and it upholds and preserves the historic decision in Roe v. Wade so our daughters and granddaughters’ rights and opportunity are protected.
“This ruling breaks down needless barriers that women face in accessing care, and it sends a clear message that extreme politicians have no business interfering with a woman’s most personal decisions. It is a true victory-but there is no question that our work to protect women’s reproductive rights is far from over, and I am more committed than ever to standing with women across our country as we keep up the fight."
Earlier this year, Senator Murray led a total of 163 Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court on Whole Woman’s Health vs. Hellerstedt.
