Message from NARAL President Mini Timmaraju |
Presidential budgets are meant to reflect the values of an administration—and with the release of its second annual budget this week, the Biden-Harris administration is once again saying loud and clear that reproductive freedom and access to care is a priority. This is more important than ever as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to hand down a decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—a case that directly challenges Roe v. Wade.
But anti-choice state lawmakers are working harder than ever to roll back abortion rights and access—and their attacks are unprecedented in both volume and cruelty. It’s only March, but according to a recent analysis from the Guttmacher Institute, lawmakers in 41 states have introduced 525 restrictions undermining abortion access this year alone. Nevertheless, as Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) would say, “No one’s stealing my joy.” That’s because we got to witness history in the making last week during Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation hearings. Judge Jackson demonstrated that she is highly qualified and would be an exceptional Supreme Court justice. We look forward to her confirmation. |
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Confirm Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson |
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Combatting Disinformation
In response to President Biden’s nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, anti-choice and right-wing actors mobilized to spread racist and sexist narratives and disinformation about her qualifications and record. Join us in amplifying positive, accurate information about Judge Jackson during this historic moment, and read about NARAL’s work around her nomination in partnership with the Women’s Disinformation Defense Project.
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April is Volunteer Appreciation Month |
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“We need strong representation where it matters—at every level of government—so we can have a multifaceted strategy to protect reproductive freedom. That includes confirming Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court.” -Kyle Fox |
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Victory in California
Last week, in a virtual signing ceremony, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 245, the Abortion Accessibility Act, into law. This win is truly something to celebrate because this legislation removes cost-sharing requirements, like co-payments and deductibles, for abortion care—bringing us one step closer to ensuring that no one in California is unable to access abortion because of the cost.
This victory was only possible because of NARAL members who spoke out in support of the legislation. Help us celebrate this important step forward by sharing the news on Twitter. |
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IN THE STATES The State of Repro Freedom |
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IDAHO
Idaho’s anti-choice governor recently signed into law a bill banning abortion at about six weeks with a civil enforcement mechanism similar to Texas' vigilante-enforced ban on abortion that allows people to sue abortion providers. This is the first copycat bill modeled after Texas’ vigilante-enforced ban on abortion (SB 8) to be enacted since the anti-choice supermajority on the Supreme Court allowed Texas’ unconstitutional ban to stand, blocking abortion access for millions and rendering Roe meaningless in Texas.
ARIZONA
Just yesterday, anti-choice Republican Governor Doug Ducey signed into law SB 1164, an extreme and unconstitutional ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with no consideration for a pregnant person’s circumstances. The bill passed through the legislature on a party-line vote, highlighting how out of touch Arizona Republican politicians are with the 9 in 10 Arizonans who support the freedom to decide how to start or grow a family, free from political interference. SB 1164 is scheduled to go into effect in 91 days after the session is concluded.
FLORIDA
Florida could be the next state to enact an extreme and unconstitutional 15-week abortion ban similar to the Mississippi ban that’s at the heart of the case before the U.S. Supreme Court that directly challenges Roe v Wade. Anti-choice state lawmakers in Tallahassee have passed the 15-week abortion ban, and the bill is awaiting a signature or veto from Governor Ron DeSantis (R). ACROSS THE COUNTRY
With hundreds of restrictions on abortion access already circulating in state legislatures, reproductive freedom is facing an unprecedented wave of attacks. Anti-choice lawmakers will stop at nothing to rip away our fundamental freedoms.
We need your support—now more than ever—to fight back. |
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NARAL partnered with the Black Women’s Leadership Collective and UltraViolet for “United for Justice, United for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.” This event celebrated Judge Jackson’s historic nomination and discussed what can be done right now to combat the racist and sexist disinformation surrounding her to ensure the Senate acts swiftly to confirm her as our next Supreme Court justice. Here's what you missed: |
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR Upcoming Events |
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
Merch for the Movement |
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We’re still celebrating Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s birthday this month. It is not too late to join us! Help celebrate RBG’s birthday with this sticker! |
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