Wisconsin’s criminal abortion law threatens to become law without federal protections under the WHPA if Roe is overturned
Wisconsin — Today, despite the fact that 80% of Americans want abortion to be safe and legal, Senator Ron Johnson voted against the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), legislation that would protect the right to abortion in Wisconsin. Senator Tammy Baldwin coauthored and voted in favor of the legislation. The WHPA would establish a statutory right to provide and receive abortion services, providing critical protection to states like Wisconsin that has a pre-Roe ban on abortion without exceptions for rape, incest or the health of a woman. WHPA is needed now more than ever since the Supreme Court may overturn or severely undermine the protections established by Roe v. Wade this summer. If that happens, abortion could immediately become a crime in Wisconsin, impacting 1.3 million women.
Statement from Mike Murray, Executive Director, Planned Parenthood Advocates of WI
“Senator Ron Johnson turned his back on the health and freedoms of Wisconsin women by opposing this critical legislation. Deciding if or when to become a parent is one of the most personal, life-changing decisions a person can make. Given the serious threat to safe and legal abortion in Wisconsin and across the country, it’s unconscionable that Senator Johnson would put politics ahead of the needs of his constituents.
This is not the future that women in Wisconsin deserve. Our family members, friends, and neighbors should not be denied the ability to safely access time-sensitive health care.
We have a choice to support a different vision of Wisconsin’s future, which is also supported by the vast majority of Wisconsinites. Everyone who wants to protect the ability to make their own health care decisions and access the health care they need should contact Senator Johnson and hold him accountable.”
