Pro-Choice Caucus Leaders Statement on Election Results

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following is a statement from the co-chairs of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), on the issue of abortion rights in this year’s election:

“For months now, we have been sounding an alarm that this was one of the most important elections of our lifetime because, one way or another, Americans’ right to access abortion care was on every single ballot across this country. Based on the results we’ve seen so far, the American people answered the call to make their voices heard, and in state after state, across the country, voters overwhelmingly took to the polls to reject Republicans’ efforts to criminalize abortion care in the U.S.

“In all five states where the right to abortion care was directly on the ballot, voters overwhelmingly supported protecting Americans’ right to access reproductive care. In Vermont, Michigan and California, voters approved new constitutional amendments to enshrine the right to abortion care in their state. And in Kentucky and Montana, voters rejected Republicans’ efforts to restrict abortion access within their borders.

“If there’s one thing this election has shown us, it’s that the American people see the threat that Republicans pose to their right to reproductive care; and it’s a right they will not give up without a fight. The American people made their voices heard loud and clear in this election, and it should end any doubt about Americans’ overwhelming desire to restore the protections we had under Roe v. Wade nationwide. As we await the final outcome of this election, our mandate from the American people is clear: we must fight with everything we have to restore and protect Americans’ right to abortion care.”