Democratic Presidential Candidates Pledge to Protect Access to Abortion and Reproductive Rights if Elected

WASHINGTON — During tonight’s debate, Vice President Biden and Senator Sanders reasserted their commitment to protect and expand sexual and reproductive health care — and guarantee health care access for Americans regardless of their zip code or income level. 

During the debate in Washington, D.C., Democratic presidential candidates shared bold plans to protect and expand reproductive health care access including the repeal of the Hyde amendment. Vice President Biden also committed to choosing a woman as his Vice Presidential running mate and reiterated his commitment to appoint a Black woman to the Supreme Court. This past week, Planned Parenthood Action Fund joined a number of other progressive groups in calling on all presidential candidates to commit to nominating a woman as their Vice Presidential candidate, and to appointing women to at least half their cabinet positions.

Especially in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, it’s critical that the American people hear how candidates would protect their health care  — including reproductive health care — during the debates. 

To see where both candidates stand on issues related to reproductive health and rights, visit Planned Parenthood’s candidate spotlight tool.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, acting President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:

“We need a bold, unapologetic leader who will stand up for access to abortion. Tonight, both Vice President Biden and Senator Sanders committed on stage to protecting reproductive rights and repealing the Hyde Amendment — which makes abortion inaccessible for many people of color, young people, and people with low-incomes. We applaud the Vice President on his commitment to choose a woman to be his running mate, and applaud both candidates for their pledges to have a representative cabinet. 

“The current administration has spent years undermining our public health system — from attacking the ACA to trying to block patients from coming to Planned Parenthood health centers — and most recently tried to use the response to COVID-19 as an opportunity to further attack abortion coverage. Voters are hungry to elect a champion who will address a public health crisis with mature leadership. We need a leader who will boldly address public health crises and fight for policies that expand access to reproductive health care, not use them to score political points.”

The Trump administration’s attacks on abortion, birth control, and other reproductive care have spurred backlash across the country. A record-high 77 percent of Americans say they do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned, and there is no state where making abortion illegal is popular. Those elected in 2020 to Congress and to the White House will make a difference for access to reproductive health and rights across the country.

Last June, both Senator Sanders and Vice President Biden appeared at the first-ever presidential forum on reproductive health and abortion access — Planned Parenthood Action Fund’s #WeDecide forum. Both candidates answered questions from supporters about access to abortion, including repealing the Hyde Amendment.

Last year, over 300 abortion restrictions were introduced in nearly every state in the country. Reproductive rights supporters have been galvanized by these attacks — advocating for policies that would expand health care access and protect access to safe and legal abortion, with major legislation passing in Illinois, New York, and several other states. 

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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, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.