WASHINGTON – Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii) voted July 11 to advance the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, legislation that expresses support for women’s reproductive freedom and protecting access to reproductive health care.
The vote failed on the Senate floor with a final tally of 49-44 — with nearly every Republican voting against it. Prior to the vote, Hirono delivered a speech in which she highlighted the consequences of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision for women across the country.
“We often refer to the states as ‘laboratories of democracy,’” said Hirono. “Sadly, these laboratories are now experimenting on women, with dystopian results. This hellish experimentation has resulted in devastating consequences for millions of women and families across the country, who are now subject to state-imposed abortion bans.”
Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade,over 20 states have enacted abortion bans, some without exception for rape or incest. This has forced women throughout the country to travel far distances for abortion care or risk continuing their pregnancies despite health concerns.
It has also threatened health care workers in states with abortion bans, preventing doctors from providing emergency treatment and causing them to flee their practices, contributing to reproductive health care deserts across the country.
During her remarks, Hirono criticized Republicans for enacting dangerous reproductive policy changes, despite their claims to support women’s health, and called on them to stand behind their rhetoric and vote for the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act.
“Let’s be clear — abortion bans aren’t about protecting anyone. They’re about the right’s obsession with power and control, plain and simple,” continued Hirono. “Time after time, Republicans have come to this floor insisting that they support women’s health, only to turn around and vote against bill after bill that would do just that.”
“This should be a no-brainer for anyone who actually supports women, and our right to control our own bodies,” concluded Hirono. “But if past is prologue, it is safe to say Republicans will vote against this bill today, only to insist tomorrow that they are the party of freedom. Give me a break.”