On Women’s Equality Day, Congressman Troy Carter Promises To Protect Women’s Health Freedom

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. commemorated Women’s Equality Day 2022 by reiterating his commitment to fight for reproductive freedoms for all women. 

The recent attack by the Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade restricts the constitutional right to reproductive autonomy and privacy. Abortion laws do not eliminate abortions; they eliminate safe abortions. The United States’ maternal mortality rate is already abysmal. From 2019 to 2020, the U.S. maternal mortality rate increased 18%, resulting in 861 total maternal deaths, which does not account for unreported cases.

In Louisiana, the situation is even more bleak. According to the Louisiana Health Department, the state’s maternal mortality rate exceeds the majority of the rest of the nation’s rate. Additionally, for every 1 pregnant White woman that dies from pregnancy-related or associated complications, 4 pregnant Black women die. These disparities cross across all healthcare for Black women.

 Tragically, around two-thirds of these pregnancy-related deaths are preventable. As one of the most technologically advanced and developed nations in the world, this reality is unacceptable.

In order for us to move forward, we must continue to fight and defend women. We cannot move backwards.

In just the past two months, Congressman Carter advocated for and voted to pass:

• The Women’s Health Protection Act – Congressman Carter once again passed targeted legislation to make the protections of Roe v. Wade the law of the land. Not a single House Republican voted for this bill to respect the basic freedoms and the lives of women in every corner of the country.

• The Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act – legislation to stop Republicans from criminalizing, fining, or suing women who exercise their constitutional right to travel across state lines to obtain an abortion or other reproductive healthcare. Nearly every House Republican voted against this life-saving legislation.

• The Right to Contraception Act – legislation to guarantee the right for Americans to obtain and use birth control including oral contraception, emergency contraception, and IUDs.  Nearly every House Republican voted that they don’t believe women have a right to birth control.

“With women’s rights and reproductive healthcare under attack, this Women’s Equality Day is more important than ever,” said Congressman Troy Carter. “As an advocate for equity and human rights – as well as the highest-ranking pro-choice official in Louisiana – I’m taking this day to recommit myself to the fight for a brighter, more just future for women in Louisiana and across the United States. The Senate must stop the stalemate and take action on House-passed legislation to protect women’s rights and healthcare freedom.”

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