Sen. Sherrod Brown Takes Historic Vote in Support of Abortion Access While Sen. Portman Turns His Back on Ohioans 

Planned Parenthood Advocates Ohio 

For immediate release: February 28, 2022                          

Contact: Aileen Day [email protected]  

Sen. Sherrod Brown Takes Historic Vote in Support of Abortion Access While Sen. Portman Turns Their Back on Ohioans 

The Women’s Health Protection Act would protect abortion rights across the country  

Ohio — Today, despite the fact that 80% of Americans want abortion to be legal, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), legislation that would protect abortion rights in Ohio and across the country. While Senator Brown took a historic vote in support of abortion access, Senator Portman turned his back on Ohioans. WHPA would establish a statutory right to provide and receive abortion services, prohibiting states from implementing out-of-touch and unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions, such as TRAP laws here in Ohio. WHPA is needed now more than ever since the Supreme Court may overturn or severely undermine the protections established by Roe v. Wade this summer, and state legislators have been emboldened to introduce an onslaught of abortion restrictions. Already this year, state legislators have announced plans to introduce a Trigger Ban. Unfortunately, Senator Portman opposed this critical legislation, deciding to push their unpopular agenda over the needs of Ohioans.  

Statement from Lauren Blauvelt-Copelin, Vice Present of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy:  

“Everyone deserves access to legal abortion free of political interference and unnecessary barriers. The Women’s Health Protection Act would protect the right to an abortion at the federal level and would be an important step in protecting reproductive freedom in states like Ohio. We are deeply grateful to Sen. Brown for standing up for our sexual and reproductive health care, and we know he won’t stop fighting for our rights. Unfortunately, Sen. Portman turned his back on the health and rights of Ohioans by opposing this critical legislation. Access to legal abortion is supported by a majority of Ohioans. Given the ongoing threats to abortion access in Ohio and across the country, it’s unconscionable that Sen. Portman would put politics ahead of the needs of his constituents.” 

Last year, in a historic vote, the House of Representatives passed the Women’s Health Protection Act. Abortion restrictions are unpopular: 80% of Americans want abortion to be legal.  Nearly 1 in 4 women will have an abortion in their lifetime. While passing WHPA would not grant all people equitable access to abortion and other essential health care overnight, it is an essential step to obtaining reproductive freedom. 

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports advocacy for reproductive health and reproductive rights, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying www.ppao.org