Rep. Lee Speaks on House Floor Urging Senate to Protect a Woman’s Right to Choose

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WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives to urge her colleagues in the Senate to pass legislation to protect a woman's right to choose by codifying Roe v. Wade into law. Rep. Lee has been a fierce advocate for reproductive rights and voted to pass the Women's Health Protection Act out of the House last fall.

The following is a transcript of Rep. Lee's remarks:

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I rise today as women across this country face the most devastating blow to our rights and our freedom in decades. For nearly 50 years, Roe v. Wade has been the law of the land.

But the Supreme Court is poised to strike down Roe, and 28 states are ready to strip away everyone's right to access abortion care without government interference.

I grew up Catholic. I have a deep understanding of the moral and personal dilemma that the decision to have an abortion can present.

But that decision should be a woman's, not the government's. Five justices should not be able to overrule our will, our rights, and our health care decisions.

The House passed legislation to protect everyone's access to abortion care, and the Senate must do the same.

In 1990, in fact, Nevadans came together and voted by a 2-to-1 margin to protect a woman's right to choose.

But Washington Republicans don't care if they take the majority. They'll ban abortion nationwide and overrule our state's law. They are out of touch, out of line, and out to take control of women.

And this hyper-partisan Supreme Court won't stop at clawing back rights from women.

Our nation's highest court is opening the doors to rip apart individual rights and liberties across the board. Marriage equality, privacy rights, access to contraception and more. It's all on the line.

These are the stakes, and that is why we cannot back down.

About 70% of the American public supports a woman's right to access abortion care. And we must make our voices heard.

We must call out the partisan extremists on the right who are hiding in the wake of this immensely unpopular decision.

The past week in the news has been absolutely devastating. But this is a fight worth fighting.

I'm not giving up on this country. I'm not giving up on democracy. And I'm certainly not giving up on a woman's right to make her own health care decisions.

And with that, I yield back.

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