Voto Latino: “Today’s Vote Shows that Choice is on the Ballot”

Washington, DC – Today the U.S. Senate voted down the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which is designed to codify access to abortion into federal law. The vote comes days after a draft Supreme Court opinion overturning Roe v. Wade was made public. Voto Latino President and CEO Maria Teresa Kumar issued the following statement:

“It’s critical that the Senate codifies the right to safe and accessible abortion into federal law–exactly what it didn’t do today. The draft decision leaked from the Supreme Court last week shows how far anti-choice extremists will go to deny Americans agency over their own bodies and access to the healthcare that they deserve. The decision is deliberately cruel and a gross overreach of government intervention in personal health that codifies socio-economic caste not fit for modern, 21st century America. If it’s allowed to take effect, this decision will be devastating for individuals who need access to abortion–especially poor people and people of color who already face the stiffest challenges when it comes to exercising their rights. It also prevents yet another obstacle for poor women, who are often already mothers, trying to escape a cycle of poverty-stunting upward mobility for themselves and their family.

“Today the Senate had an opportunity to stand up for millions of Americans whose power to control their own bodies is being put in profound danger. Abortion is healthcare and access to healthcare must be preserved at all costs. Today’s vote makes it frighteningly clear that choice is on the ballot. Voto Latino will ensure that voters understand the true impact of such legislation as they head to the polls.”

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Voto Latino is a grassroots political organization focused on educating and empowering a new generation of Latinx voters, as well as creating a more robust and inclusive democracy. Through innovative digital campaigns, culturally relevant programs and authentic voices, we shepherd the Latinx community towards the full realization of its political power.