Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Representatives Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), and Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act to provide grant assistance for those who travel long distances to receive reproductive health care, including abortion care.
“In 2022, the Supreme Court ripped the promise of equitable access to reproductive medical care away from millions of Americans, and MAGA extremists have spent every day since then trying to enact a national abortion ban,” said Strickland. “Access to safe and legal reproductive health care, including abortion, should be accessible to everyone, but care is too often out of reach for low-income families and women of color across the country. The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act fulfills our responsibility to guarantee reproductive freedom for all women regardless of where they live.”
“Women and families in Texas and states across our country that have banned abortion are in crisis,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher. “One way to help people and organizations respond to this crisis is to authorize grants to eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for women seeking abortion care in states where it is legal. I am glad to partner with Congresswoman Strickland in this effort to ensure that Americans can get the reproductive care they need no matter where they live.”
The Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act will establish a grant program to help community-based organizations and nonprofits provide financial support to those seeking abortion care. Eligible expenses include round-trip travel, lodging, childcare, doula care, and other travel-related expenses.
Original cosponsors include Adam Smith (WA-09), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Sean Casten (IL-06), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-4), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Emmanuel Cleaver (MO-5) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37).
Endorsing organizations include the National Network of Abortion Funds, Northwest Abortion Access Fund, Texas Equal Access, Fund Texas Choice, The Bridge Collective, Reproductive Freedom for All, The National Partnership for Women and Families, Center for Reproductive Rights, Jane’s Due Process, Physicians for Reproductive Health
Read the full bill text here.
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. She is Whip of the New Democrat Coalition, Secretary of the Congressional Black Caucus, and is one of the first Korean-American women elected to Congress.
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