Rep. Ratcliffe Statement on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt

Press Release

Rep. John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) issued the following statement in response to the Supreme Court's 5-3 ruling today against a Texas law regulating health standards in abortion facilities across the state in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt:

"Today I join my fellow defenders of life in deep disappointment over the Supreme Court's decision against a Texas law that was designed to protect women's health and the well-being of their unborn children. While this may represent a setback in our fight to protect life at all stages, it nonetheless demonstrates just how vital it is that we not give up in our efforts on this important cause. I will remain committed to advancing legislation that ensures the safety of women and unborn children in Texas and across the country."

Since coming to Congress, Ratcliffe has been adamant in his efforts to protect unborn life:

Voted YES on and was an original cosponsor of the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 (H.R. 3134) which passed the House in September 2015 to impose a one-year moratorium on halt sources of Federal funding to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates.

Voted YES on and was an original cosponsor of the Pain Capable and Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36) which passed the House in May 2015 to protect unborn children from abortions after 20 weeks.

Voted YES on the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act (H.R. 7) which passed the House in January 2015 to prevent taxpayer funds from being used for abortion.

Original Cosponsor of the Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2015 (H.R. 3197) which aims to permanently prohibits all Federal funding from going to entities that provide abortions or fund entities that provide abortions. This primarily encompasses funding from HHS and USDA. Medicaid, Title X, and WIC funding are also all included in this prohibition.

Original Cosponsor of the Life at Conception Act (H.R. 816) which aims to clarify that human life begins at the moment of conception and, as a result, the unborn are entitled to legal protection under the Constitution.

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