Stansbury, Leger Fernández, Vasquez step up for womens’ rights
On the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, U.S. Reps. from New Mexico Melanie Stansbury, Teresa Leger Fernández, and Gabe Vasquez held a joint press conference on June 24 to discuss the critical importance of reproductive rights in the upcoming November elections.
The Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which effectively eliminated federal protections for abortion, has had far-reaching impacts across the U.S., leading to stringent abortion bans in several states. This anniversary serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for reproductive freedom and the urgent need for legislative action.
“Today reminds us of the severe repercussions that come with stripping away fundamental rights,” Stansbury said. “As we approach the November elections, it’s crucial to recognize that reproductive rights are on the ballot. “We must elect leaders who will protect and expand access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.»
Vasquez said that everyone should be able to make a decision based on their own beliefs.
“Today marks two years since the MAGA-packed Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade, brutally stripping away the rights of women to make their own reproductive healthcare decisions,” he said. “As a first-generation Mexican-American, who was raised in a family of faith, I know we can each hold our own moral beliefs and trust that our family members, our neighbors - anyone - to make their own personal decisions. We can all agree that this is not a place for government interference. These are personal decisions between patients seeking reproductive health care, their doctors, their faith and their families.”
Leger Fernández also agreed that abortion should be a personal decision for women.
“In New Mexico, we believe that personal decisions about pregnancy belong between a woman, her faith, her familia, and her doctor,” she said. “This election is about access to health care for women - about safety, about dignity, about love and respect. Wherever she lives, we need healthcare, not handcuffs. Women will remember in November - and the men who love us will remember too.”
The Representatives emphasized their support for legislation that would safeguard reproductive rights and ensure that personal health decisions remain between patients and their healthcare providers. They called on voters to recognize the gravity of the upcoming elections and to vote for candidates who will uphold democratic values and protect personal freedoms.
By U.S. Reps. Melanie Stansbury, Teresa Leger Fernández, and Gabe Vasquez
