Today Vice President Harris convened Latina state legislators from Kansas, Utah, Texas, Arizona, New York, Illinois, and Nevada who are on the frontlines of protecting reproductive rights in their states. They were also joined by advocates and a health care provider during the meeting at the White House.
The Vice President thanked the leaders for their work protecting reproductive rights in their states. The participants shared challenges facing the Latina community as it relates to accessing reproductive health care, and they shared stories and experiences about the way that abortion restrictions are harming women and families. The state leaders thanked the Vice President for her leadership fighting for the health and safety of women.
During the meeting, the Vice President and the state leaders reinforced that you do not need to give up your faith to believe that women should have the ability to make decisions about their bodies and their lives without government interference. The Vice President reiterated the Administration's commitment to partnering with elected leaders at the local, state, and federal level to protect reproductive health care. She encouraged the leaders to continue exploring protections in their states and said she looks forward to continuing to work alongside them.
The Vice President has visited Florida, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia, Indiana, and Massachusetts to meet with state legislators about protecting reproductive rights. She also convened legislators from Montana, Indiana, Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska in Washington D.C. And she has convened health care providers, constitutional law experts, faith leaders, state attorneys general, disability rights leaders, and advocates over the last three months.
Participants:
- Representative Susan Ruiz (D-KS-23)
- Representative Angela Romero (D-UT-26)
- Representative Gina Hinojosa (D-TX-49)
- Representative Alma Hernandez (D-AZ-3)
- Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas (D-NY-34)
- Senator Celina Villanueva (D-IL-11)
- Assemblywoman Selena Torres (D-NV-03)
- Dr. Jennifer Villavicencio, Gynecologist / Family Planning Provider
