Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) introduced the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022, H.R. 8297, with original co-sponsors Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08).  The bill prohibits any person acting under color of state law, including private parties, from punishing Americans traveling for reproductive health care, which is protected by the constitutional right to travel.  

“In overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has set us on a dangerous path forward that jeopardizes the health and undermines the equality of people across this country,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Lawmakers in several states, including my home state of Texas, are now threatening to interfere with the constitutional right of Americans to travel freely and voluntarily within the United States for the purpose of obtaining abortion care. These efforts violate the fundamental rights guaranteed to all citizens.  These efforts to deprive Americans of their constitutional rights must be stopped, and Congress has the power and the responsibility to do so.  This bill is essential to protecting the health and equality of all Americans, and I hope to see it move quickly through the Congress.” 

“The Supreme Court may have ripped away a woman’s right to reproductive health care, but they cannot stop a woman’s right to travel,” said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. “This bill simply reaffirms a Constitutional right, and I call on my Republican colleagues who say they support freedom to vote yes.”

“As emboldened right-wing forces try to make it a crime for women to obtain out-of-state health care services, and as the Supreme Court discards long-settled constitutional principles, Congress must protect the constitutional right to travel,” said Congressman Jamie Raskin.  “This important legislation defends the time-honored right to travel across state lines, including for the purpose of obtaining an abortion. We will not allow extremists to dismantle this basic freedom.”

If enacted, the bill would: 

• Prohibit any person acting under color of state law from restricting or impeding
  • a person’s constitutional right to travel across state lines for the purpose of obtaining a lawful abortion.
  • a person or entity’s ability to assist an individual in traveling across state lines for the purpose of obtaining a lawful abortion.
  • any health care provider in providing or otherwise enabling lawful abortion services in that state.
• Empower the Attorney General to bring a civil action for declaratory and injunctive relief against any person who is in violation of this law.
• Create a private right of action for any person harmed a violation of this law to obtain declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys’ fees.

To view the full text of the bill, click here.