Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D-FL) and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee held a field hearing in Broward County following the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a six-week abortion ban in the Sunshine State.
However, the State Supreme Court also gave the go-ahead for Amendment 4 to appear on the ballot, giving Florida residents the power to determine whether abortion is a “guaranteed right” in the state.
Of the State Supreme Court’s decision, Rep. Castor said that Floridians must “make their voices heard” in November.
“Floridians must make their voices heard at the ballot box this November on the right to decide when and if to have children. Women and their families should make those personal decisions, not politicians. The Republican six-week abortion ban is extreme and cruel. Most women do not know they are pregnant at six weeks. Floridians can stand up for their rights and freedoms and reject the cruel and costly abortion ban and turn the tide on Gov. DeSantis and MAGA extremism,” said Rep. Castor.
At the field hearing on Tuesday, the Florida congresswoman called the six-week ban “cruel, costly, and wrong” and will worsen the maternal health crisis.
“Women are being forced to carry pregnancies in dire situations where doctors advise the best course is an abortion. Florida is losing doctors, medical students and residents who are fleeing to other states, and the maternal health crisis will worsen due to the abortion ban passed by the GOP-controlled legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. It is cruel, it is costly, and it is wrong,” said Rep. Castor. “Make no mistake— MAGA extremists want to criminalize reproductive health care, birth control and fertility services like IVF. Congress must act to supersede these harmful state laws, ensuring that medical decisions are made where they belong: between a provider and a patient, based on high-quality standards of care and without the interference of politicians and extremist judges.”
Finally, Castor talked to those who’ve been affected by the Florida abortion ban and the reversal of Roe v. Wade and how it impacts doctors and healthcare providers.
“If medical residents and trainees can’t receive a comprehensive education, including training in abortion care, it will directly affect the life and health of pregnant patients, not only those who are seeking an abortion but those who are experiencing pregnancy-related emergencies and miscarriages,” said Castor.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL) were in attendance as well.
