As Democrats broadcast their strong support for legalized abortion, Presidential aspirant Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) released a “Plan to Advance Reproductive Rights” which includes a pledge to establish “a White House Office of Reproductive Freedom.”
"On Day One, I will create a White House Office of Reproductive Freedom, charged with coordinating and affirmatively advancing abortion rights and access to reproductive health care across my Administration —addressing all barriers to full reproductive autonomy, such as access to health care, including maternal and infant health, quality, affordable child care, and comprehensive paid family leave," the plan said.
Booker’s plan also says that “Abortion care is also health care." The New Jersey senator promises to submit a presidential budget devoid of the Hyde Amendment. The Hyde Amendment stops federal money from paying for abortions, except in certain cases including rape, incest and the life of the mother.
Booker wants America to reinstitute its funding of the United Nations Population Fund. He also wants to see “the protections guaranteed by Roe v. Wade” enshrined into law and he says he will select judicial nominees “who are committed to upholding reproductive rights.”
As president, I will:
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) May 22, 2019
?Create a White House Office of Reproductive Freedom
?Reverse Trump Administration actions that forbid some providers from mentioning abortion
?Appoint judges who will uphold Roe v. Wade https://t.co/AOaeWQaIry
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) has pledged to nominate Supreme Court appointees who will protect Roe. V. Wade, and she has also called for ditching the Hyde Amendment and firmly establishing Roe v. Wade via legislation. Gillibrand’s plan states that “reproductive healthcare” includes abortion:
"In the most sweeping step I’d take as president, I will guarantee access to reproductive healthcare—including abortion—no matter what state you live in. I would ensure that no state can prevent private insurance from covering abortion as reproductive health care. I would create a funding stream to ensure reproductive health center access in every state and every region of the country. And I would ensure that no state can pass laws that chip away at access to reproductive care or criminalize reproductive healthcare providers. Federal law would supersede those harmful state restrictions."
The push from Democratic presidential candidates to defend abortion comes as state legislatures across the country enact stricter abortion limits.