Today, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) announced that the House of Representatives will vote on her bill to protect the right to travel for abortion, the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, H.R. 8297, on Friday, July 15.  This morning, the House voted in favor of bringing the bill to the House floor after it received overwhelming support with more than 165 co-sponsors and endorsements from more than 10 organizations.  Congresswoman Fletcher introduced H.R. 8297 with Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) and Congressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) last week.  

“While lawmakers and others in several states, including my home state of Texas, are threatening to interfere with the constitutional right of Americans to travel freely and voluntarily within the United States, the Congress is acting to protect the fundamental freedoms of Americans,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “This bill has received overwhelming support from members of Congress and from organizations, demonstrating the importance of meeting this moment and passing meaningful legislation to protect reproductive rights nationwide.  I look forward to seeing this bill to protect the health and equality of all Americans pass the House and getting it to the President’s desk.”

Congresswoman Fletcher has led efforts to protect access to abortion and to protect the private data of people seeking reproductive health care.  As a representative from Texas, she has also worked to respond to draconian anti-choice policies by introducing legislation challenging the bounty system created in Texas Senate Bill 8.  Congresswoman Fletcher is an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which establishes a statutory federal right to abortion free from medically unnecessary restrictions.  

The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act has received endorsements from NARAL Pro-Choice America, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, National Partnership for Women and Families, Center for Reproductive Rights, National Women's Law Center, Power to Decide, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Catholics for Choice, National Council of Jewish Women, Advocates for Youth, and URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity.