[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 20, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H6889-H6890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1045
            TELLING OUR STORY ON THE RIGHT TO CONTRACEPTION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Brown) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, since the Supreme Court overturned 
Roe v. Wade last month, I have been overwhelmed with powerful 
testimonies from my colleagues, family, and friends about their 
reproductive health journeys.
  They have shared their fears and concerns for their daughters, 
granddaughters, and nieces now living in a post-Roe America. They 
offered firsthand, intimate accounts detailing some of their personal 
and sometimes painful experiences, wanting me to know

[[Page H6890]]

how critical it is for Congress to make Roe the law of the land.
  These moving, shared memories spoke of very private life situations, 
from sexual assault to personal family planning decisions. Yet, they 
still told me in hopes of uniting in our fight against attacks by far-
right extremists, extremists who are determined to strip women of their 
reproductive rights and criminalize abortion care in all 50 States.
  To these women, I say thank you. Thank you for your bravery, your 
honesty, and your courage. Your stories were not told in vain and will 
serve as inspiration to continue our fight to protect, defend, and 
restore the right to decide.
  Madam Speaker, a woman's fundamental healthcare decisions are hers 
alone to make and should never be mandated by politicians.
  This week, I stand proudly with my fellow House Democrats to reaffirm 
my support, and I will vote for the Right to Contraception Act.
  Reproductive healthcare should be available to everyone regardless of 
where they live. This week, we are another step closer to restoring 
critical access for all.

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