Congresswoman Nikema Williams Continues Leadership to Protect Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) led the introduction of a resolution to condemn attempts to criminalize the full range of sexual and reproductive health care including abortion, gender-affirming care, and contraceptive care. The resolution also disapproves of the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. The resolution is being co-led by Congresswomen Alma S. Adams Ph.D. (NC-12), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Lois Frankel (FL-22), and Teresa Leger Fernandez (NM-03).

Congresswoman Nikema Williams introduced similar legislation in the 117th & 118th Congress.

In the years since Roe vs. Wade was overturned, states have attempted to impose civil and criminal penalties on people who help others access gender-affirming and reproductive health care. States are also violating the sanctity of the doctor-patient relationship by passing laws threatening provider licensure, certification, or renewal, if even suspected of providing care, regardless of conviction.

The resolution is endorsed by 42 organizations including: Reproductive Freedom for All, National Network of Abortion Funds, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Black Mamas Matter Alliance. Click here for the full list of endorsing organizations.

The resolution reads in part:

“Resolved, That the House of Representatives condemns the application or use of criminal laws to punish people for the outcomes of their pregnancies; affirms that people deserve access to high-quality health care without fear of reprisal or punishment; condemns the criminalization of providing or supporting access to essential health care; affirms the ethical obligations of health care providers to safeguard patient privacy and the private medical information integral to the patient-provider relationship; declares a goal for a future in which the ability of patients to access sexual and reproductive health care, including abortion, contraception, and gender-affirming care, is universally free from restrictions, bans, and barriers, and people are able to exercise self-determination in their reproductive and sexual health and manage care on their own terms, free from coercion, discrimination, or punishment; and affirms the commitment of Congress to working toward this goal in partnership with providers, patients, advocates, and their communities.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Vice Chair of the Democratic Women’s Caucus and member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus said: 

“Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, states across the country have criminalized care, restricted access to essential services, and threatened health care providers for doing their jobs. These attacks don’t protect people. They put lives at risk. People have died because of abortion bans, and Black women and other marginalized communities are bearing the greatest burden. No one should have to fear criminalization or risk their life to get the health care they need.”

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) said:

“No one should face criminal punishment for seeking the care they need, and no provider should be punished for caring for their patients. We must protect access to lifesaving and empowering health care for every American regardless of sexual orientation, or gender. Criminalizing healthcare for any person places our human rights at risk.”

Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22) said:

“In my home state of Florida, we’ve seen firsthand the dangerous consequences of politicians putting themselves in the exam room under the state’s severe anti-abortion policy. Health care should be a fundamental human right and a private matter between patients and their trusted medical providers. Criminalizing medical treatment creates a climate of fear, deepens health care disparities, and puts lives at risk.”

Mini Timmaraju, Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO, said: 

“No one should face arrest or prosecution for accessing essential health care or because of the outcome of a pregnancy. Anti-abortion extremists continue to push policies that undermine our fundamental freedoms and give politicians more control over our bodies and lives. We’re proud to support Rep. Nikema Williams in rejecting the criminalization of abortion, contraception, and other health care, and we’ll keep fighting to restore and expand reproductive freedom.”

MiQuel Davies, Deputy General Counsel (Senior Director of Law & Policy) of National Network of Abortion Funds, said:

“This critical resolution affirms what abortion funds know to be true: that no one should be criminalized for their pregnancy outcomes or for providing, helping someone to get, or receiving essential health care—including abortions. Abortion funds have spent decades adapting to increasingly restrictive legal terrain as they continue to help people get the abortions they want and need. Despite the essential support abortion funds provide in communities across the nation, hostile state and federal lawmakers continue to attempt to criminalize the work of abortion funds and the people they serve. We are grateful for leaders like Congresswoman Williams who fight back alongside abortion funds against surveillance and state violence.” 

The resolution is co-signed by: Becca Balint (VT At Large), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA26), Salud O. Carbajal (CA-24), Andre Carson (IN-07), Troy A. Carter (LA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Suzan K. DelBene (W-01), Christopher R. Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie P. Foushee (NC04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Doris O. Matsui (CA-07), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Dave Min (CA-47), Joseph D. Morelle (NY-25), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC At Large), Scott H. Peters (CA-50), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Bradley Scott Schneider (IL-10), Hillary J. Scholten (MI-03), Adam Smith (WA-09), Melanie A. Stansbury (NM-01), Mark Takano (CA39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill N. Tokuda (HI02), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nanette Barragan(CA-44) and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).

Read the full resolution here.

Read a one-pager on the resolution here.