NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Organization for Women Political Action Committee, and Planned Parenthood Action Fund Strongly Back Van Hollen’s Re-Election
KENSINGTON, MD – Today, U.S. Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) announced endorsements from NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (NOW PAC), and Planned Parenthood Action Fund for his re-election. Each pointed to his leadership on a range of issues like pay equity, voting rights, and reproductive freedom impacting Marylanders and many across the country.
In his very first race for the Maryland legislature, Chris ran on the “Choice Team” that was elected to the Maryland General Assembly and, once elected, immediately got to work and successfully passed essential legislation to codify Roe v. Wade in Maryland law in 1991. In the state legislature, in the House, and now in the Senate, Van Hollen has been a fierce defender of reproductive choice.
With the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case before the Supreme Court this term, there is a real threat to the protections provided by Roe v. Wade, where the decision could significantly weaken or threaten essential rights. Senator Van Hollen’s leadership is critical to enacting legislation to prevent the dismantling of Roe and confirming judicial nominees that recognize these legal protections. Chris is an original sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act to codify the legal right of all Americans to make their own reproductive health decisions, which the Senate will consider on the floor later today. And as the Senate moves ahead with many judicial confirmations this session, Van Hollen will continue to build on his strong track record of support for nominees on the federal bench that understand the critical responsibility they have, to protect and enshrine freedoms under the law from reproductive rights to voting rights.
And from his first days in the Maryland legislature to his current time in the Senate, Chris has been a recognized champion on issues vital for women and families including pay equity, paid family leave, affordable childcare, and addressing inequities in our nation’s health care system. He is a staunch supporter of the Paycheck Protection Act to ensure equal pay for equal work and the Equal Rights Amendment. Chris recognizes that one of the most fundamental responsibilities of government is to ensure universal access to affordable health care. Chris has worked tirelessly to defend the Affordable Care Act against Republican attacks and increase access to mental health, preventative care, and other services. He has championed measures to reduce prescription drug and health care costs, address the medical debt crisis, and end health disparities that impact women and communities of color.
Finally, as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, Senator Van Hollen released a Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations bill that proposes eliminating key legacy riders blocking access to reproductive care. Specifically, he proposed taking two key steps – ending the D.C. Medicaid coverage ban and the abortion coverage ban in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program – in the Senate draft measure.
Senator Chris Van Hollen said, “Health care is a human right, and all Americans must be able to access the care they need — choice and reproductive freedoms play an essential role in delivering on that commitment. For three decades I’ve fought in the trenches alongside these partners to address inequities in our health care system, deliver on paid family leave, fight for pay equity, and protect access to safe, legal abortion. With the stakes so high before the Supreme Court and rights under attack in state legislatures, I am committed to our work in the Senate and in Maryland to continue the path of progress for reproductive health, rights, and justice.”
Mini Timmaraju, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America said, “NARAL is proud to support Senator Chris Van Hollen in his reelection bid to the U.S. Senate. Senator Van Hollen has stood strong against restrictions on abortion access and been unequivocal in his support for reproductive freedom. With an anti-choice supermajority on the Supreme Court poised to potentially overturn Roe v. Wade in just a few short months, we must send leaders like Senator Van Hollen back to the U.S. Senate. We know he will continue to work to protect and expand abortion access and vote ‘yes’ on critical legislation like the Women’s Health Protection Act.”
Christian F. Nunes, Chair of NOW PAC, stated, “NOW PAC is proud to endorse Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen for reelection to the U.S. Senate. Senator Van Hollen continuously promotes NOW’s values, including those surrounding economic justice, affordable childcare for working families, and a woman’s right to choose. We know he will be a leader in the fight for social justice, racial equity, immigration reform, and gun safety. We also recognize he is an important voice in the conversation regarding the power of dark money in politics, and how we can better safeguard our most basic Democratic institutions. We are confident that Senator Van Hollen will continue to be an essential advocate and reliable ally who will help push forth an intersectional feminist agenda.”
Alexis McGill Johnson, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said, “Chris Van Hollen has been committed to the fight for reproductive rights for Marylanders for decades. And now as abortion access is under attack everywhere from the Supreme Court to state legislatures, Chris remains an unwavering champion that we can count on in the United States Senate. Planned Parenthood Action Fund is proud to endorse Senator Van Hollen for re-election because we know he will keep working to expand access to quality, affordable health care, and secure true reproductive freedom for all.”