Pro-Choice Caucus statement on priorities in government funding bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The co-chairs of the Pro-Choice Caucus, U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Barbara Lee (D-CA), along with Pro-Choice Caucus leaders, Reps. Julia Brownley (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) and Norma Torres (D-CA) released the following joint statement on reproductive health priorities in the Fiscal Year 2022 government funding bill:

“While we are extremely disappointed that critical reproductive health priorities – including ending the Hyde Amendment and other related discriminatory coverage bans – were removed from the final omnibus being considered today, our fight on these priorities is still far from over. These groundbreaking policy changes, together with the House-passed funding increases for reproductive health programs, would have provided a critical step toward ensuring that reproductive health care – including abortion access – is accessible to everyone who needs it, especially those who already face the biggest barriers due to their race and income. And it’s shameful that Senate Republicans continue to stand in the way of these important priorities.

“Last summer, the House of Representatives made historic advances to expand access to reproductive care – including, for the first time in decades, passing appropriations bills free of the Hyde Amendment, Helms Amendment, and other related abortion coverage bans. We also voted to permanently end the Global Gag Rule and approved much-needed funding increases for both domestic Title X and global family planning programs.

“Despite our persistent efforts to advance these measures, Senate Republicans have continued to block them at every turn. But we refuse to give up. Not now. Not ever.

“The American people are with us in this fight, and the momentum that we’ve built behind these efforts has put us closer than ever to getting them over the finish line. We recognize and applaud the generations of organizing, activism, and advocacy that have gotten us to this historic point, and we will continue to partner with, and fight alongside, our friends in the reproductive health, rights, and justice movements. We are more committed than ever before to continuing our fight to ensure everyone has the freedom to make decisions about their own health, bodies, and lives. We are committed to making abortion accessible to all who need it, and we will continue to build upon the tremendous progress we’ve made in the House to end Hyde and other related coverage bans once and for all.”