In just three short months, Republicans in Washington and throughout the country have pursued one of the most sweeping attacks on rights and liberties in generations. In less than 90 days, we've seen a full out assault on the middle class, workers, and kids.
And now…American women.
In Washington, House Republicans are attacking women's health and safety under the guise of reining in government spending. Instead of an honest discussion about our very real fiscal problems, Washington Republicans have decided to roll back the rights of women by half a century. They're recklessly pursuing an agenda to deny American women, particularly low-income women, access to vital health care services with a bullish charge to eliminate Title X – our country's only federally funded family planning program.
Unfortunately, this dangerous and irresponsible agenda isn't limited to Washington. In my home state of Iowa, Republicans in the State House have introduced dangerous legislation that would ban abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, and could also lead to the criminalization of all abortions in Iowa. Already, our state's Governor has begun rallying support for the bill. Thirty-three Iowa House Republicans are supporting legislation that would stomp all over a woman's access to quality reproductive healthcare. These sorts of measures would set us back and destroy the social safety net that protects American women and their families.
I believe that we must stand strong with American women. Just last month, I called on Speaker Boehner to stop ongoing efforts to dismantle the Title X program. I have continuously fought for women's rights and access to quality healthcare and services. And I strongly believe that we can't let them suffer under a Republican agenda that undermines the progress of the last 50 years.
How can we afford to go backwards now?