During the past month, the United States Congress has declared a “war on women.” A series of extreme anti-choice bills are moving their way through our national legislature, each of which would strike a grievous blow to women’s access to reproductive health care, including safe, legal abortion care and family planning services.  

These attacks include the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” (HR3), the “Protect Life Act” (HR358) and the “Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act” (HR217). While they differ in specifics, all three would impose funding or coverage restrictions on critical health services, endanger women’s health, limit women’s rights as moral decision-makers, and erode religious liberty by imposing one religious perspective of abortion on the country as a whole.

The National Council of Jewish Women has fought throughout its history for the protection of every woman’s right to reproductive choices and the elimination of obstacles that limit reproductive freedom. These rights are integrally bound to religious freedoms; legislating one religious viewpoint on these very personal issues would restrict religious liberty for all.

Make it clear to your representatives in the U.S. House and Senate, and the President, that you support access to reproductive health services, which includes important family planning services to prevent unintended pregnancies and STDs, and further inform them that you oppose measures that would restrict these rights. Raise your voice today for our reproductive choices!

Darien Arnstein, State Public Affairs Chair, National Council of Jewish Women – St. Louis Section