ACLU Statement on Politicians Pushing New Abortion Bans in Indiana and West Virginia

WASHINGTON — Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion politicians in Indiana and West Virginia introduced legislation to permanently ban abortion. In response to these latest legislative attacks, Jessica Arons, senior policy counsel for reproductive freedom with the American Civil Liberties Union, issued the following statement:

“In the month following the Supreme Court’s decision taking away our federal right to abortion, countless people in states across the country – including West Virginia – have faced the nightmare of government-mandated forced pregnancy. Forced pregnancy has life-altering consequences, including enduring serious health risks from continued pregnancy and childbirth, making it harder to escape poverty, derailing education, career and life plans, and making it more difficult to leave an abusive partner.

“Unfortunately, some extremist politicians in Indiana and West Virginia have witnessed this public health crisis and decided to inflict further harm on women and anyone who needs abortion care in their states, when instead they could be using this opportunity to ensure their residents have access to this essential health care when they need it. We’ll continue harnessing the power of the people in Indiana, West Virginia, and across the country to push back against these abortion bans and every attack on our fundamental rights.”