Whitehouse Votes to Codify Roe, Slams Republican Obstruction following Supreme Court Attack on Women’s Constitutional Rights

Washington, DC – Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) released the following statement on today’s vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act—legislation to codify the protections of Roe v. Wade into law and uphold a woman’s constitutional right to abortion.  The bill did not achieve the 60 votes necessary to advance in the Senate due to Republican obstruction.

“Today, I cast my vote to protect access to abortion?nationwide, and to stand up to a Supreme Court intent on tearing down a constitutional right of every woman in this country.  We must fight back against this assault on women’s right to choose if and when to have a child.  We must also shine a light on the right-wing special interests that packed the Supreme Court with the current Republican majority – a majority that is enacting an extreme agenda at the expense of the Constitution and the American people. 

“The Republican Party used to defend individual liberty and the right to privacy.  This vote shows those days are over.  That is a shame.”