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Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Responds to Biden’s State of the Union Address

For Immediate Release: Feb. 7, 2023


President Biden’s SOTU address falls three months after the 2022 midterms where voters turned out overwhelmingly to protect abortion rights and access

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, during his State of the Union speech, President Biden spoke to the national abortion access crisis, the need to preserve everyone’s ability to make their own health care decisions, and vowed to veto legislation that would ban abortion nationwide. This speech comes more than seven months after the Supreme Court eliminated the federal constitutional right to abortion and three months after the 2022 midterms where voters overwhelmingly chose to protect abortion rights. 

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden brought Amanda and Josh Zurawski, a young couple from Austin, Texas, who were unable to initially get proper miscarriage treatment because their doctor was afraid of violating the Texas abortion ban. Instead, Amanda had to wait until she had a life-threatening infection to receive the care she needed. This invitation underscores the administration’s commitment to highlighting abortion rights and centering the people directly impacted on the ground. 

President Biden said: 

“Here in the people’s House, it’s our duty to protect all the people’s rights and freedoms.

“Congress must restore the right that was taken away in Roe v. Wade…

“The Vice President and I are doing everything to protect access to reproductive health care and safeguard patient safety. But already, more than a dozen states are enforcing extreme abortion bans.

“Make no mistake about it; if Congress passes a national ban, I will veto it.”

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president, Planned Parenthood Action Fund: 

“The abortion access crisis is a national public health crisis. We need everyone in a position of power to fight alongside us to protect this essential health care. Tonight, the President did that by speaking emphatically about every person deserving the ability to make their own health care decisions — without political interference. 

“Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing states to ban abortion, the Biden-Harris administration has used the tools available to them to defend access to abortion. This includes using the bully pulpit to prioritize abortion rights, making efforts to protect patient privacy and increase access to medication abortion, expanding abortion access for veterans, and more. We know the challenges to our health and rights will not stop, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund is grateful to have a trusted partner in the Biden administration to fight for reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ rights, and the other issues that impact the ability to get care. We look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure that everyone can make decisions about their own bodies, health, and futures.”

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Members of Congress invited abortion patients, providers, storytellers, and leaders to join them as their guests to highlight the ongoing importance of protecting access to sexual and reproductive health care amidst ongoing attacks. These included: 

  • NJ: Rep. Rob Menendez invited Rosyln Rogers Collins, President & CEO of Planned Parenthood Metropolitan New Jersey
  • PA: Rep. Madeleine Dean invited Kelsey Leigh, a Planned Parenthood patient advocate   
  • FL: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz invited Anabely Lopes, an abortion storyteller
  • GA: Rep. Nikema Williams invited Monica Simpson, Executive Director of SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective
  • IL: Sen. Tammy Duckworth invited Dr. Erin King, a provider
  • MA: Senator Ed Markey invited Kate Dineen, an abortion storyteller; Democratic Whip Rep. Katherine Clark invited Dr. Cheryl Hamlin, a provider
  • NY: Rep. Nydia Velazquez invited Dr. Jamila Perritt, president and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health
  • NV: Rep. Susie Lee invited Misty Tzugaris, an abortion storyteller

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

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