VIDEO: Hirono Votes to Pass Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, Blasts Republicans on Senate Floor

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted to advance the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act, legislation that expresses support for women’s reproductive freedom and protecting access to reproductive health care. The vote failed on the Senate floor with a final tally of 49-44—with nearly every Republican voting against it. Prior to the vote, Senator Hirono delivered a speech in which she highlighted the horrifying consequences of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision for women across the country.

“We often refer to the states as ‘laboratories of democracy,’” said Senator Hirono during her remarks. “Sadly, these laboratories are now experimenting on women, with dystopian results. This hellish experimentation has resulted in devasting consequences for millions of women and families across the country, who are now subject to state-imposed abortion bans.”

Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, over 20 states have enacted abortion bans, some without exception for rape or incest. This has forced women throughout the country to travel far distances for abortion care or risk continuing their pregnancies despite health concerns. It has also threatened health care workers in states with abortion bans, preventing doctors from providing emergency treatment and causing them to flee their practices, contributing to reproductive health care deserts across the country.

During her remarks, Senator Hirono criticized Republicans for enacting dangerous reproductive policy changes, despite their claims to support women’s health, and called on them to stand behind their rhetoric and vote for the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act.

“Let’s be clear—abortion bans aren’t about protecting anyone. They’re about the Right’s obsession with power and control, plain and simple,” continued Senator Hirono. “Time after time, Republicans have come to this floor insisting that they support women’s health, only to turn around and vote against bill after bill that would do just that.”

“This should be a no-brainer for anyone who actually supports women, and our right to control our own bodies,” concluded Senator Hirono. “But if past is prologue, it is safe to say Republicans will vote against this bill today, only to insist tomorrow that they are the party of freedom. Give me a break.”

A transcript of Senator Hirono’s floor speech is below and video is available for download here.

M. President, after Dobbs came down, we worried about what a post-Dobbs America would look like. Would other reproductive freedoms be attacked and stripped away piece-by-piece across the country? Now, two years later, we know the answer is yes.

In Dobbs, the Supreme Court “return[ed] the issue of abortion to [the States]” and eliminated a constitutional right women in our country had relied on for nearly 50 years. We often refer to the states as “laboratories of democracy.” Sadly, these laboratories are now experimenting on women, with dystopian results. This hellish experimentation has resulted in devasting consequences for women and families across the country, who are now subject to state-imposed abortion bans.

As a result of over 20 states enacting abortion bans—some without exception for rape or incest—women all over our country are being forced to travel far distances for abortion care—or worse, to continue pregnancies regardless of the risks. Their stories are horrifying—stories like that of Kate Cox, a mother of two in Texas whose pregnancy was threatening her life, and her ability to have more children in the future. Despite her deteriorating physical condition, Texas officials ruled that she wasn’t sick enough to get an abortion, forcing her to travel out of state to receive the life-saving care she needed.

While Kate had the ability to travel, so many other women in her condition do not—and are forced to suffer the unimaginable consequences of Republicans’ obsession with power and control. What’s more, health care workers in states with abortion bans are living under a constant threat of criminal prosecution. When patients in states with abortion bans present with signs of a miscarriage, doctors are unable to provide emergency treatment, going against their legal and professional duty of care and years of expert training. As a result, many of these providers are fleeing their practices, contributing to reproductive health care deserts all across the country.

The cruelty of Dobbs has also resulted in an increase in infant mortality in states with abortion bans, as women are forced to carry fetuses with fatal birth defects to term. Let’s be clear—abortion bans aren’t about protecting anyone. They’re about the Right’s obsession with power and control, plain and simple. But while Republicans continue their march toward a nationwide abortion ban, they refuse to be honest with the American people.

Time after time, Republicans have come to this floor insisting that they support women’s health, only to turn around and vote against bill after bill that would do just that. Despite their rhetoric, they voted en masse against the right to contraception, the right to IVF, and have consistently blocked any effort in this chamber to protect women’s fundamental rights. But still, my Republican colleagues insist they stand with women.

Today, they have the opportunity to put their money where their mouths are. The Reproductive Freedom for Women Act is straightforward – it simply expresses support for protecting access to reproductive health care. The bill is one page long, and does not codify Roe or enact any policy changes. This should be a no-brainer for anyone who actually supports women and our right to control our own bodies. But if past is prologue, it is safe to say Republicans will vote against this bill today, only to insist tomorrow that they are the party of freedom. Give me a break.

Democrats, meanwhile, are determined to restore, protect, and strengthen reproductive rights. And we will not stop fighting until we succeed in this. That is why, today, I am proud to stand with my fellow Democrats in voting for the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act to support reproductive rights and health care for all.

Thank you and I yield.

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