Alex Padilla: “colleagues, on January 24, just 5\1/2\ weeks ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade just weeks after Republicans…”

“colleagues, on January 24, just 5\1/2\ weeks ago, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade just weeks after Republicans in this Chamber blocked our push to codify the right to an abortion into Federal law. So since January 24, Democrats have been fighting to ensure that abortion care remains accessible. We pushed to pass a bill that would protect the fundamental right to travel to States where abortion is still legal; Republicans blocked it. We pushed to pass a commonsense bill to expand access to family planning services; Republicans blocked that one too. We pushed to codify the right to contraception; Republicans blocked it. At every turn, Republicans have taken extreme and out-of-touch positions by blocking these commonsense bills. So today Democrats are standing up to protect doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals who are increasingly under attack just for doing their jobs and providing legal abortions. Colleagues, I am proud to join Senator Murray and our colleagues in this effort to pass the Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act to ensure doctors can provide the reproductive healthcare that women need. Abortion access, after all, is essential healthcare. Now, I have seen firsthand the incredible work that providers in California do to provide critical reproductive care. Most recently, I have visited a Planned Parenthood clinic in Los Angeles.…”