Larsen Lambasts Attack on Reproductive Rights

— from the Office of Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) —

Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) today took to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives to urge his colleagues to oppose H.R. 7 – a bill that would tighten restrictions on women’s access to reproductive healthcare. H.R. 7 continues Congressional Republicans’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no plan to replace it, and comes one day after President Trump reinstated the “global gag rule” which undermines women’s reproductive health care outside the U.S.

“Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 7, the latest attack on women’s reproductive rights. Today’s bill comes on the coattails of the new administration yesterday reinstating the “global gag rule” which limits women’s reproductive healthcare outside the U.S. And all of this, after 3.2 million women and men across the country participated in the Women’s March last Saturday. The march sent a clear message: that this administration should not undermine women’s rights and women’s healthcare.  And this is the response? To undermine women’s reproductive healthcare? Well, Madam Speaker, the people of our country are watching. They are showing up. They are paying attention. And they will not back down in the face of attempts to move the country backwards. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 7. Thank you, I yield back.”

Last week, Larsen was joined by more than 174 Members of Congress in urging then President-elect to reject policies that would harm women, repeal the Affordable Care Act and defund Planned Parenthood. Larsen also held a seven-stop Affordable Care Act Tour of Washington’s 2nd Congressional District – a series of events to hear from constituents, hospital administrators, healthcare providers, insurers, patient advocacy organizations and members of the faith community about how Congressional Republicans’ efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act with no plan to replace it will affect Washingtonians.