ICYMI: Congresswoman Sara Jacobs Puts Her Body on the Line for Reproductive Rights
In case you missed it, Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (CA-53) was arrested alongside 16 other Members of Congress and abortion rights activists this week to bring attention to the millions of Americans impacted as a result of the Supreme Court’s extreme ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade. Congresswoman Jacobs also joined Speaker Pelosi to advocate for H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act, which Jacobs co-led and which would codify access to contraception into federal law, and presided over the House Floor during its passage in the chamber yesterday.
Congresswoman Jacobs laid out Congress’ agenda following the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, saying in an interview with Lindsey Reiser at MSNBC Reports, “we need to pass legislation in Congress to codify Roe v. Wade into law and to protect people in states where abortion is currently being criminalized, like the ability to travel across state lines, like the right to contraception that we’ll be voting on this week, like my bill that will protect reproductive and sexual health data,” referring to her bill, the My Body, My Data Act.
Speaking with FOX 5 San Diego about her arrest, Congresswoman Jacobs explained that the severity of our post-Roe reality calls for drastic action. She said, “Given the gravity of the moment, given the fact that this fight is happening on people’s bodies across this country, it was only right for me to put my own body on the line to fight for the rights that every person in America should have not just those of us who live in California.”
Congresswoman Jacobs also joined Speaker Pelosi in advocating for H.R. 8373, the Right to Contraception Act, spoke during floor debate of the bill, and presided over the House Floor during its passage. During her floor speech, the Congresswoman said, “I’m probably the first person ever to speak about using Plan B on the House Floor, and I know I’m the first person in at least 35 years to talk about my period here, but you know what? We should be talking about it. We should be talking about periods and birth control and the health care that millions of Americans need for our everyday lives. Because this is not a side issue that only affects some people. This is a kitchen table issue. The decisions of how and if and when to grow a family are decisions that are personal and private and should never be decided by the Supreme Court or Congress. It’s a decision that is fundamental to our autonomy, our agency, and our ability to control our own lives.”
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs has been a tireless advocate for reproductive rights throughout her first term in Congress. In addition to co-leading the Right to Contraception Act, and being an original cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Congresswoman introduced the My Body, My Data Act (H.R. 8111, S. 4434) with Senator Mazie Hirono and Senator Ron Wyden, which would create a new national standard to protect personal reproductive health data. She is also a co-sponsor of the Access to Infertility Treatment and Care Act, legislation to expand insurance coverage for the full range of reproductive and fertility health care. Congresswoman Jacobs has publicly shared her personal experience freezing her eggs, her experience using contraception methods like birth control pills, an IUD, and Plan B, and about her efforts to expand fertility and reproductive health care.
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