Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-35) sent a letter to President Biden and Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra urging them to issue a national emergency declaration and a public health emergency declaration to protect access to abortion care and to help ensure continued access to medication abortion across the country.  The effort comes as the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has precipitated a reproductive health crisis in Texas and across the country. 

“The President’s Executive Order was a good place to start, but not a good place to stop,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “We have a public health emergency in Texas and other states that have raced to outlaw access to abortion care that has become a national public health crisis.  To respond effectively, we need to use every tool available to protect patients and health care providers, and declaring a public health emergency provides valuable tools.  I am glad to partner with Congressman Doggett in this effort to respond to the crisis facing Texans and all Americans.” 

“This is a five-alarm fire for Americans’ liberty; we need to meet this moment with action by using every available tool to defend abortion access,” said Congressman Doggett. “The Supreme Court’s radical and dangerous decision has precipitated a full-scale reproductive health care crisis that threatens patients’ lives.  We urge President Biden to meet this emergency with an emergency response, unlocking new capacities to defend patients’ access to care and expand the efforts they have begun.”

To read the full text of the letter, click here.