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Reid: Supreme Court Should Strike Down Texas Law Restricting Women's Health

Press Release

Date: March 2, 2016
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women Judicial Branch Reproduction

Nevada Senator Harry Reid entered into the congressional record the following statement regarding the Supreme Court case Whole Woman's Health v. Hellestedt, which addresses a Texas law that restricts women's health clinics and providers:

Today, the Supreme Court will hear the oral arguments in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellestedt. At issue in this case is a Texas law that puts restrictions on women's health clinics and providers.

Contrary to what proponents claim, these restrictions do not enhance women's health in any way. They are medically unnecessary, according to groups like the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Instead, these restrictions serve just one purpose: to restrict women's access to clinics.

If the Texas law stands, nearly three-quarters of the state's clinics will be forced to close. That would leave just ten clinics statewide to serve 5.4 million Texan women of reproductive age. But unfortunately, this is the type of thing we've come to expect from the State of Texas. The Texas legislature and Governor have already passed laws that infringe on its citizens constitutional rights.

For example, the state has passed laws that limit victims' ability to recover much-deserved damages after accidents. And they've passed one of the strictest voter ID laws in the nation. We're seeing the results of the state's pattern of undermining their citizens' constitutional rights. Just yesterday it was reported that more than half a million registered voters in Texas can't even vote.

This is the pattern of disenfranchisement Texas is engaged in. Sadly, the state's women are the latest example of Texas infringing on important constitutional rights. Though it's not entirely surprising that the radical Republicans in Texas have targeted women's health, it's nonetheless disappointing.

I hope the Supreme Court will choose to protect women's health and strike down this disastrous Texas law.


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