As Extremist Republicans Threaten to Shutdown Government Over Abortion Demands, Abortion Advocates Visit Capitol Hill to Speak Out
WASHINGTON — Abortion storytellers and advocates visited Capitol Hill this week to elevate the stories of real people and the impact of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year. Storytellers also spoke of the harm of Republican demands in the appropriations process aimed at blocking abortion coverage and forcing votes on bills. Using must-pass spending legislation as a vehicle is the latest effort by extreme MAGA Republicans to further dismantle access to abortion and reproductive care.
Free & Just’s storytellers who come from different backgrounds — a woman from New Hampshire who chose to have an abortion after learning her baby would be born with a severe birth defect, an ultrasound technician from Georgia, a couple from Florida who were denied abortion care, and an LGBTQ pastor from Wisconsin — met with congressional staff to share abortion stories that call attention to the relentless attacks that have put patients, health care providers, and others across the country in impossible positions.
“It is imperative that members of Congress take the time to hear from their constituents on how these harmful abortion bans have impacted their lives,” said Chrystian Woods, Senior Campaign Director of Free & Just. “Abortion bans have very real and painful consequences, and our storytellers represent the everyday Americans who have been adversely affected by these widely unpopular anti-freedom policies. We are so grateful to the Members of Congress who met with our storytellers, and we know that hearing from our storytellers will energize them as they continue to fight back against the right’s extreme anti-abortion agenda.”
More on Free & Just’s storytellers who visited Capitol Hill to speak out:
Amanda D'Angelo is a childcare worker from New Hampshire. She told her story in an op-ed in the Union Leader about how she chose to have an abortion after learning her baby would be born with anencephaly, a severe birth defect, and had no chance for survival. Amanda met with Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02).
Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) embraces Free & Just storyteller Amanda D’Angelo.
Tim Schaefer, the first openly gay pastor at First Baptist Church of Madison and a member of the Wisconsin Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice met with Congressman Mark Pocan (WI-02). An advocate for the protection of reproductive rights, Tim has counseled several members of his church who have sought abortion care.
Derick and Anya Cook are a husband and wife from Florida who shared their story in this Washington Post article of how Anya almost lost her life after being denied abortion care following the reversal of Roe V. Wade. Anya, alongside her husband, delivered her almost 16-week fetus in the bathroom of a hair salon after she was turned away by a hospital due to the state’s abortion law. While starting a family had once been a dream for the couple, Anya describes how “getting pregnant now feels like a death sentence.” Anya and Derick met with Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24).
Suki O. has been an ultrasound tech in Georgia for 20 years. As the first point of contact for patients seeking abortion care, Suki has experienced first-hand the impact of the reversal of Roe. V Wade. Her patients are now terrified when waiting for her to tell them if heartbeat activity has been detected, and she has had patients, including those with fetal anomalies and ectopic pregnancies, now denied abortion care.
Free & Just, the organization that brought these storytellers to Washington, aims to educate Americans about who is responsible for these attacks and put a human face on the real-life impact of abortion bans. This campaign is grounded in storytelling — amplifying the stories of those who have been directly impacted by the fallout of overturning Roe — and maintaining a steady drumbeat of awareness of the continued attacks on our freedoms and, crucially, who is responsible for the loss of our rights.
Background on abortion provisions in spending bills:
Currently, seven out of 12 appropriations bills include restrictions on abortion, including:
Limiting access to the abortion medication mifepristone
Prohibiting the VA from providing abortion services to veterans
Banning the Department of Defense from covering expenses for Defense employees to travel to receive abortion care
Defunding Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics
Prohibiting funding of an “abortion hotline” to provide people information on where abortion access is available
Stopping the Biden Administration from implementing executive orders to increase abortion access following the Dobbs ruling
If you are interested in speaking with any of these storytellers, please reach out to zoe@freeandjust.us.
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About Free & Just
Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future. Follow Free & Just on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
