[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 36 (Monday, February 28, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S831]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            MORNING BUSINESS

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                     WOMEN'S HEALTH PROTECTION ACT

  Mr. DURBIN. Madam President, 49 years ago, the Supreme Court issued 
its landmark decision in Roe v. Wade. By an overwhelming, 7-2 vote, the 
Justices declared that a woman's choice to have an abortion is a 
constitutionally protected right.
  For nearly five decades, the Supreme Court's holding in Roe v. Wade 
has ensured that millions of Americans can access their essential, 
reproductive healthcare rights. But today, Roe v. Wade is hanging by a 
thin thread. A majority of the current conservative Court appears 
poised to overturn Roe at the first opportunity. It is up to Congress 
to safeguard the protections guaranteed under Roe v. Wade by passing 
the Women's Health Protection Act, also known as WHPA.
  For decades, abortion opponents have waged a relentless assault on 
women's right to choose. And for decades, the Supreme Court--even with 
conservative majorities--has protected the core principles of Roe. But 
the tides are turning rapidly.
  In December, the Justices heard oral arguments in the case of a 
Mississippi law banning nearly all abortions after 15 weeks of 
pregnancy. Because the Mississippi law is clearly unconstitutional 
under Roe and its progeny, it was blocked by lower courts. But this 
Supreme Court, with its far-right majority, granted review anyway. And 
in their questioning, several conservative Justices seemed ready to 
overturn Roe.
  This threat to women's health and freedom is unprecedented. In the 
words of U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, who argued before 
the Supreme Court on behalf of the Federal Government: ``The Court has 
never revoked a right that is so fundamental to so many Americans and 
so central to their ability to participate fully and equally in 
society.''
  Even without the threat from the Supreme Court, the right of women to 
control their reproductive health and lives is under attack. Last year, 
lawmakers in 47 States introduced more than 560 laws imposing new 
restrictions on reproductive rights.
  In the face of this unprecedented assault on reproductive rights, 
Congress must step up and pass WHPA. WHPA would protect the right to 
access reproductive healthcare, free from medically unnecessary 
restrictions, no matter where you live.
  I commend Senator Blumenthal--the lead sponsor--and all of my 
colleagues who support this important and necessary measure, and I hope 
we will have bipartisan support in passing it.
  (At the request of Mr. Schumer, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

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