Pro-Choice Caucus Members Host Reproductive Freedom Guests for 2024 State of the Union
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Pro-Choice Caucus Members will host nearly 30 reproductive freedom guests at the U.S. Capitol for President Biden's 2024 State of the Union Address.
“As reproductive rights remain under attack, the Pro-Choice Caucus and all House Democrats remain united,” said Co-Chairs Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Barbara Lee (CA-12). “We are proud to welcome President Biden to the Capitol today with reproductive freedom champions by our side, and we look forward to continuing to work together with the Biden-Harris Administration to do what the people elected us to do: protect and expand reproductive freedom and abortion access across the country, for every person in America.”
At 11:00 AM, the Pro-Choice Caucus, alongside the Democratic Women’s Caucus and Whip Katherine Clark, hosted a press conference on the ongoing fight for reproductive freedom, highlighting the stories of patients, providers, and advocates attending the State of the Union address.
Watch the live stream here.
29 House Democrats are accompanied today by a guest who embodies the importance of reproductive freedom:
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and his guest, Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All
House Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and her guest, Amanda Zurawski, Patient Storyteller and Lead Plaintiff in Zurawski v. Texas
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and his guest, Jodi Hicks, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood California
Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chair Diana DeGette and her guest, Adrienne Mansanares, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
Pro-Choice Caucus Whip Lizzie Fletcher and her guest, Dr. Damla Karsan, MD, Reproductive Health Care Provider and Kate Cox’s Doctor
Pro-Choice Caucus Task Force Chair Judy Chu and her guest, Dr. Caitlin Bernard, MD, MS, Reproductive Health Care Provider, Prosecuted After Treating 10-year-old Rape Survivor
From Representative Chu: “My State of the Union guest OBGYN Dr. Caitlin Bernard was attacked for providing abortion care in Indiana to a 10-year-old rape survivor fleeing Ohio after Dobbs. Dr. Bernard and I look forward to hearing President Biden chart a path forward on reproductive freedoms tonight. House Democrats stand ready to work with him on a comprehensive solution for restoring and strengthening reproductive rights in America, which includes passing my bill, the Women’s Health Protection Act, H.R. 12, into law. This legislation would provide Americans a right to receive, and doctors a right to provide, abortion care—free from state bans and restrictions that impede access.”
Pro-Choice Caucus Task Force Chair Julia Brownley and her guest, Cara DelVecchio, Reproductive Health Care Provider at Planned Parenthood California Central Coast
Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Lois Frankel and her guest, Dr. Cherise Felix, MD, Reproductive Health Care Provider at Planned Parenthood West Palm Beach
Representative Jerry Nadler and his guest, Nancy Davis, Patient Storyteller
From Representative Nadler: “With reproductive rights under attack across our country, it is incumbent on our elected officials to elevate the real-life impacts of Republican efforts to advance a nationwide abortion ban. It is my honor to welcome Nancy Davis to the Capitol to hear firsthand President Biden’s plan to defend reproductive freedom in America. Nancy’s story is all too common following the Supreme Court’s ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, which upended over 50 years of the right to abortion. After Nancy, a mother of 3, learned that her fetus had developed without a skull, she and her husband made the deeply personal and challenging decision to terminate her unviable pregnancy. However, she was unable to find a provider in her home state of Louisiana willing to provide care and had to seek refuge nearly 1,500 miles away for the procedure. Now, she has turned her heart-wrenching experience into a determination to advocate for reproductive justice, especially in states where access to reproductive services are restricted.”
From Nancy Davis: “I am grateful to Congressman Nadler for personally inviting me as his guest to the State of the Union! In attending the State of the Union, I aim to highlight the urgent need for comprehensive reproductive healthcare, equitable access to resources, and the elimination of discriminatory practices. I am honored to represent the voices of those who have faced challenges in accessing essential healthcare and have been denied their reproductive rights. Attending the State of the Union allows us to elevate these crucial issues on a national platform and push for meaningful change.”
Representative Joyce Beatty and her guest, Brittany Watts, Patient Storyteller Prosecuted for Miscarriage
Representative Shontel Brown and her guest, Annette Watts, Brittany’s Mother
From Representative Brown: “I’m proud to have as my guest for the State of the Union Annette Watts – the mother of Brittany Watts, the woman charged with a crime after having a miscarriage. Brittany and her family have shown unbelievable strength. They’ve gone through a tremendous trial, because of the radical anti-woman ideology that would criminalize a miscarriage. I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Beatty to shine a spotlight on Brittany and her family and the importance of reproductive rights.”
Representative Gwen Moore and her guest, Tanya Atkinson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin
From Representative Moore: “I am so thrilled to bring Tanya Atkinson, President/CEO of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, to the State of the Union. Her leadership has been critical to protecting access to abortion care in Wisconsin, especially after the Dobbs’ decision. Women should be able to control their own body and make their own health care decisions, this is an issue of protecting freedom and individual liberties. Today and every day, we are lifting up this issue, including at the State of the Union, as we continue to work to strengthen and restore reproductive rights for women in Wisconsin and nationwide.”
Representative Colin Allred and his guest, Dr. Austin Dennard, DO, Reproductive Health Care Provider and Patient Storyteller
Representative Nydia Velázquez and her guest, Dr. Meera Shah, MD, MA, MPH, AAHIVS, Reproductive Health Care Provider at Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic
From Representative Velázquez: “When the Supreme Court overturned Roe, it left many Americans scared about the serious effects that it would have on reproductive rights in our country. However, people like Dr. Meera Shah have become a beacon of hope for women who are attempting to navigate a post-Roe America. I am honored to have her as my guest to this year’s State of the Union, where she can share her story about her fight to ensure reproductive rights for all.”
Representative Robin Kelly and her guest, Dr. Lisa Green, DO, MPH, Health Care Provider and CEO and Cofounder of Family Christian Health Center
Representative Mike Levin and his guest, Dr. Brian Acacio, MD, FACOG, Fertility Care Provider
Representative Lori Trahan and her guest, Dr. Pietro Bortoletto, MD, MSc Fertility Care Provider and Director of Reproductive Surgery at Boston IVF
From Representative Trahan: “In the wake of the GOP’s latest attack on our reproductive freedoms, I spoke up about how IVF gave my husband and me our two beautiful daughters, Grace and Caroline. The outpouring of love and support has reminded me just how salient this fight is to protect our reproductive freedoms. Of course, my story and my daughters were only possible because of Boston IVF, the practice that helped me through five long years of IVF treatment. I couldn’t be more honored to welcome Dr. Bortoletto, who works every day to help couples have the family they dream of, as my guest for President Biden’s State of the Union address. We look forward to hearing from the President about his commitment to working with Democrats in Congress to protect women’s access to reproductive care.”
Representative Gerry Connolly and his guest, Barbara Collura, President and CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
Representative Jamie Raskin and his guest, Rebecca Watson O’Connor, Director of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester and her guest, April Thomas-Jones, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Delaware
Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove and her guest, Kara James, Reproductive Health Care Provider at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles
Representative Bobby Scott and his guest, Dr. Rohini Kousalya Siva, MD, MPH, MS, President of the American Medical Student Association and Reproductive Freedom Advocate
From Representative Scott: “Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, we have seen relentless attacks on reproductive freedom across the country including the most recent efforts to restrict access to in-vitro fertilization services. Dr. Siva has highlighted how the extreme right-wing attacks on abortion and reproductive health care will have disastrous consequences for women’s health across the country. I look forward to having her attend President Biden’s State of the Union address and look forward to her continued advocacy for health care and reproductive rights.”
Representative Annie Kuster and her guest, Michelle Cilley Foisey, a Storyteller and Reproductive Freedom Advocate
Representative Susan Wild and her guest, Christie Nicas, an IVF Patient Storyteller
Representative Jim Himes and his guest, Dr. Vrunda B. Desai, MD Fertility Care Provider and VP of Medical Affairs and Clinical Strategy at CooperSurgical
Representative Jesús (Chuy) Garcia and his guest, Abby Favro, Chief Development Officer at Planned Parenthood Illinois
Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi and his guest, Jennifer Welch, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Illinois
Representative Shri Thanedar and his guest, Dana Nessel, Michigan Attorney General; and
Representative Melanie Stansbury and her guest, Dr. Destinie Marquez, MD, Reproductive Health Care Provider.
From Representative Stansbury: “I am honored to have Dr. Destinie Marquez as my guest during President Biden's State of the Union address this year. Dr. Marquez is a passionate advocate for women’s reproductive rights, particularly in underserved communities. Her dedication to ensuring access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare for all women makes her a crucial voice in addressing critical issues facing women today.”
To see and hear more from these Members and guests throughout the day, keep track on PCC’s X.
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