WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Friday helped pass two new bills — the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, to protect a woman’s right to make their own health decisions, and the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, to reaffirm the right to freely travel throughout the country and prohibit interference with the provision, access, or assistance of personal health care choices across state lines.
“I will always oppose any attempt by those in Washington or around the country to roll back the clock and stand between a woman and her doctor, or her faith, when making personal, private health care choices,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), a member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus. “Last month, the Supreme Court made a devastating and extreme decision to overturn a woman’s right to choose — in a horrific breach of personal privacy and freedom that puts a woman’s life and health at risk. Now, the House is passing critical protections to defend a woman’s right to make her own health decisions.”
Gottheimer helped pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine Roe v. Wade into federal law. This legislation passed the House last year, and has now been updated to address the recent Supreme Court ruling. The bill upholds a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions, as well as health providers’ freedom to provide care.
Gottheimer also helped pass the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, which will prohibit any attempt under state law to:
- Impede a woman from crossing state lines to access health care.
- Interfere with a health care provider’s ability to offer legal care.
- Restrict individuals from helping others to seek health care.
- Obstruct the transportation of FDA-approved medication.
Both bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
