Keep a women's right to choose safe and legal in the U.S.
Keep a women's right to choose safe and legal in the U.S.
Why this petition matters
As Eighth Grade Students We Believe Reproductive Rights Need to Stay Safe and Legal in the United States.
Signing this petition is stating that you believe abortion is a human right. Congress should pass legislation, such as the Women's Health Protection Act, in order to protect abortion access.
The United States was founded on principles such as freedom and privacy that ensure individuals can make their own decisions without government regulations. One of the most important decisions a person can make is whether to begin, prevent, continue, or terminate a pregnancy. Reproductive health decisions should be made by the individual who is pregnant, as well as their loved ones and health care providers.
To guarantee the protections of Roe v. Wade, national laws are necessary. Although Congress may not change rights in the Constitution without amending it, Congress may, when authorized, make laws to create and secure rights in areas of national concern. Congress has the power under Section 8 of Article I of the Constitution and Section 1 of the 14th Amendment to create laws to prevent State interference with the freedom of individuals.
Federal protection of a woman's right to choose to prevent or end a pregnancy falls within this power of Congress, partly because many women cross State lines to obtain abortions and many more would be forced to do so without a Constitutional right or federal protection.
The Women's Health Protection Act is legislation that states that it is the federal policy of the United States that everyone who becomes pregnant has the right to choose to;
(1) bear a child;
(2) terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability (defined as after 24 weeks);
(3) terminate a pregnancy after fetal viability when necessary to protect their life or health.
This act prohibits federal, state, or local government officials from: (1) denying or interfering with a woman's right to make these choices; or (2) discriminating against the usage of these rights in terms of benefits, facilities, services, or information.