Planned Parenthood Action Fund Welcomes the 117th Congress, Looks Forward to Partnering to Advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, as the 117th Congress is sworn in, Planned Parenthood Action Fund welcomes new and returning members. In the days, weeks, and years ahead, this Congress will need to work closely with the Biden-Harris administration to expand sexual and reproductive health and rights, protect people from the health and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, fight racial injustice, and so much more.  

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

“As the 117th Congress is sworn in today, and the presidential inauguration gets closer, we’re beginning a new chapter — one where we make progress toward full control of our bodies, our rights, our democracy, and our futures. While we do not yet know the outcome of Georgia’s U.S. Senate elections, in Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, and the House majority, the American people elected leaders who will champion the right to health care in the United States and across the world. Our leaders in Congress and the incoming administration must get to work immediately knowing they have a mandate to protect and expand health care, including sexual and reproductive health care, for all people. We are ready and eager to work alongside reproductive health champions in the House and Senate to end harmful policies of the past and move forward together.” 

President-elect Biden won by more than 7 million votes, and the 117th Congress — with the second largest-ever House majority in favor of protecting and expanding sexual and reproductive health care — will continue on a trail blazed by the 116th. These newly-elected leaders prove that sexual and reproductive health care are winning issues and that protecting and expanding reproductive rights is recognized as crucial by people all across the United States.

This new Congress must make long overdue investments in critical domestic and global programs, permanently end the global gag rule, repeal the discriminatory Hyde and Helms amendments, and advance legislation that expands sexual and reproductive rights, health, and education for all people. With more than 20 million confirmed cases in the U.S. alone, lawmakers must also swiftly provide additional comprehensive COVID-19 relief that addresses the health and economic crises in the U.S. and around the world. They must also reckon with systemic racism, injustice, and state-sanctioned violence in this country with serious, action-oriented steps that move our society towards equity — in health care and beyond. 

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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.