Abortion Policy
Reproductive rights could be a key platform for Harris in Virginia
Though now somewhat outdated after President Joe Biden dropped out of his campaign for reelection, a recent Emerson College poll showed former President Donald Trump with a two-point lead over him. While forthcoming polling can help shed more light on a matchup between Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, the […]
McClellan, Spanberger work to repeal parts of 19th century law that could ban abortion nationally
Democrats are finally talking about the Comstock Act — and they are finally trying to repeal it. The act is a dormant 19th century federal law that’s still technically on the books and could be used to implement a national abortion ban. Named for activist Anthony Comstock who pushed for it, the 1873 law prohibits […]
Ashley Judd, congresswomen, state lawmakers and advocates gather on second anniversary of Dobbs
“My story includes abortion — a guy I’ve known since I was a kid raped me,” actress and activist Ashley Judd shared with a crowd of about 100 in Richmond on Monday to mark the two-year anniversary of the overturn of federal abortion protections. “And when I became pregnant, I was so grateful that I […]
Democrats stress reproductive rights in fight for control of Congress, White House
WASHINGTON — Top Democratic campaign officials Thursday pressed their case for control of Congress and the White House by pointing toward the upcoming two-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. More than a dozen Democrats also introduced legislation in Congress to prevent a future Republican administration from using […]
U.S. Supreme Court rejects attempt to limit access to abortion pill
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a much-anticipated decision Thursday that mifepristone, one of two pharmaceuticals used in medication abortion, can remain available under current prescribing guidelines. The high court unanimously rejected attempts by anti-abortion groups to roll back access to what was in place more than eight years ago, writing that they […]
U.S. Senate GOP prevents contraception access bill from moving ahead
WASHINGTON — An attempt to reinforce Americans’ access to contraception failed Wednesday when U.S. Senate Republicans blocked a bill from advancing toward final passage. The 51-39 procedural vote required at least 60 senators to move forward, but fell short after GOP lawmakers said the measure was too broad as well as unnecessary. Alaska Sen. Lisa […]
These U.S. Supreme Court cases could affect abortion access nationwide
How much access should a person have to abortion pills? And should doctors in states with abortion bans be able to perform the procedure during medical emergencies? Two cases that the United States Supreme Court is expected to rule on this summer could answer these questions and have a ripple effect on abortion access nationwide. […]
They don’t like abortion, but Kaine’s GOP challengers say they won’t seek a federal ban
It’s obvious where Democratic U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine stands on abortion access. And that’s not just for the fact that his party has been outspoken in support of access and other reproductive rights. Kaine has also co-sponsored the bipartisan Reproductive Freedom For All Act — an attempt to codify abortion protections into federal law. What has been […]
Religious views on abortion more diverse than they may appear in U.S. political debate
Lawmakers who oppose abortion often invoke their faith — many identify as Christian — while debating policy. The anti-abortion movement’s use of Christianity in arguments might create the impression that broad swaths of religious Americans don’t support abortion rights. But a recent report shows that Americans of various faiths and denominations believe abortion should be […]
Supreme Court justices appear split over whether to protect abortion care during emergencies
U.S. Supreme Court justices spent two hours Wednesday morning debating whether a federal law about emergency treatment encompasses abortion care even in states with strict abortion bans, with no clear indication of how they may ultimately rule. A decision could come as soon as the end of June whether Idaho’s near-total abortion ban means doctors […]
Abortion included in pregnant workers protections law
Rules on how employers can comply with a federal law that provides protections for pregnant workers are set to take effect in roughly two months. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provided clarity to employers and employees about the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act on April 15. Under the statute, employers with 15 or more workers must grant pregnant […]
Blocking most reproductive health bills isn’t a route to ‘common ground,’ governor
Gov. Glenn Youngkin recently took action on a flurry of Virginia legislators’ measures related to reproductive health, mostly blocking bills designed to preserve the public’s access to abortions and birth control as these same issues roil national debates and as other states pass laws that restrict womens’ bodily autonomy and roll back decades of abortion […]