Before Trumpcare Vote Delay, Planned Parenthood Painted Capitol Hill Pink
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2017
Coalition of Progressive Organizations Held Speak-Out Against Worst Bill for Women
Washington DC - Today, Planned Parenthood supporters, volunteers, and patients joined elected leaders, concerned citizens, and a wide array of progressive organizations and held a “People’s Filibuster” opposing Trumpcare on Capitol Hill.
Over 250 Planned Parenthood supporters and patients “pinked out” the “People’s Filibuster” to share their stories of care and speak out against efforts to block women from going to Planned Parenthood.
Grassroots actions like today’s “People’s Filibuster” and direct constituent interactions played an instrumental role in pushing Sen. McConnell to delay a vote on the worst bill for women’s health in a generation.
Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America
To all of our supporters: thank you. It’s because of our supporters’ hard work – organizing in communities, calling Senators, and rallying in the streets – that Senator McConnell is delaying the vote on Trumpcare.
“It’s no wonder they are struggling to get the votes: this is the worst bill for women’s health in a generation, and would devastate millions of people. But make no mistake: this fight is far from over.
“Senator McConnell will push for a vote in two weeks. That’s why it’s now more important than ever for people to make their voices heard. Republican leadership needs to hear over and over that the people of America will not stand to see health care stripped from millions, and they will not stand to see Planned Parenthood’s patients lose their access to health care. Your hard work is working. Now, as Senators go home for recess next week, it’s time to send the message that we need to stop this harmful bill once and for all.
Planned Parenthood patient and volunteer speakers included:
Danielle Campoamor is a writer and mom who has turned to Planned Parenthood health centers across the country - from her hometown in Alaska to her current home in Brooklyn, New York.
Ashly Riches of Las Vegas, Nevada has a bicornated uterus, which limits her birth control options and makes reproductive health care essential to her.
Amy Conkey of Reno, Nevada has been a Planned Parenthood patient for 20 years, since she was 15, when she needed birth control to regulate her painful periods.
Claudia Chiang-Lopez from Las Vegas, Nevada has lupus and needs affordable health care. As an advocate for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, she sends her clients to Planned Parenthood.
Bill Sims from Reno, Nevada is a Medicaid and Medicare patient with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus. He needs affordable coverage to live.
Jillian McLeod-Tardiff from Portland, Maine has been a Planned Parenthood patient since she was an uninsured college student, and continues to use Planned Parenthood now that she has insurance through her employer because of the quality of the care.
Danielle Henry of Washington, DC first went to Planned Parenthood when she came to DC as a young woman without insurance. For several years it was the only place she got health care.
Highlights of Media Coverage from the People’s Filibuster
The Hill: “Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) spoke out against the GOP bill. Representatives from Planned Parenthood, the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers and Women’s March were among those at the rally, which began at 2 p.m. Eastern.”
Vox:“Senate Democrats were joined by MoveOn’s Ben Wikler, organizers with UltraViolet, and Planned Parenthood activists. By the end, hundreds of people were chanting on Booker’s every word as organizers urged the crowd to reconvene for “the People’s Filibuster” (an action at the Capitol over health care from 2 to 7 pm on Tuesday) and for a “human chain” of linked arms that’s set to form around the Capitol building on Wednesday.”
USA Today: “As Republicans continue to haggle over those crucial and contentious details, Democrats and liberal outside groups are mobilizing an all-out assault on the bill, hoping to derail it. The liberal group MoveOn.org and allied organizations are planning a “people’s filibuster” outside the Capitol on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. And an interfaith health care coalition plans to lead a 24-hour vigil starting Wednesday afternoon.”
As Senators loaded up on a bus to the White House, these are the patients and supporters they had to pass
Over 300 Shifts of Street Team Volunteers Also Canvassed DC
Live Coverage by PPACTION Snapchat:
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Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational and electoral activity, including voter education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.