{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-joins-rep-nikema-williams-introduce-resolution-declaring-abortion", "McClellan Joins Rep. Nikema Williams to Introduce Resolution Declaring Abortion as a Human Right", "2025-12-10", "2025", "2025-12", "Democrat", "House", "VA", "Jennifer L. McClellan", "M001227", "mcclellan.house.gov", "mcclellan", "https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) to introduce a Congressional Resolution, along with 108 other members, affirming reproductive freedom as a human right. According to the UN Committee on Human Rights, parties to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the United States, are obliged to protect reproductive freedom. Following the Dobbs decision, many states are not upholding their obligations under the ICCPR and other human rights treaties. The resolution is also co-led by Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Rep. Troy Carter (LA-02), Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), and Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35).\n\nOver the last three decades, more than 60 nations have reformed their abortion laws while only four have rolled abortion rights back: Poland, El Salvador, Nicaragua \u2014 and now, the United States.\n\nLast Month, the United States was scheduled to appear before the United Nations for the Universal Periodic Review\u2013a human rights assessment that every UN member state undergoes every 4.5 years. Despite participating in all previous reviews, this year, the Trump Administration boycotted, signaling a disregard for the obligation to comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.\n\nCongresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) said:\n\n\u201cFrom the overturning of Roe v. Wade by Trump-appointed Justices on the Supreme Court to drastic Medicaid cuts that hurt patients and providers alike, we\u2019ve seen reproductive health care fall further and further out of reach for millions. Comprehensive and accessible reproductive health care remains a public health, social justice and human rights issue \u2014 and this resolution ensures we treat it with the seriousness it deserves. I thank Rep. Williams for her leadership on this resolution. We won\u2019t rest until reproductive rights are fully restored and upheld across our nation.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:\n\n\u201cAbortion bans are extremely dangerous\u2014and, in some cases, deadly\u2014in Georgia, a state already reeling from a maternal health crisis, and across the country. Without reproductive freedom, we are not truly free. This resolution affirms that reproductive freedom is a fundamental human right under United States law, and that state abortion bans violate federal law and endanger the lives of women. We must uphold our most basic freedoms and get our country back on track as a global leader in human rights, restoring health, dignity, and freedom for pregnant women everywhere.\u201d\n\nCongressman Jamie Raskin (MD-08) said:\n\n\u201cDemocrats are fighting to make reproductive care a fundamental human right as MAGA Republicans seek to destroy it as a right and even an available social good. We believe Americans should be able to make their own health care decisions without asking Donald Trump or Mike Johnson for permission. We\u2019re on the side of protecting personal freedom, lowering health care costs and opposing government control. That\u2019s why we\u2019re introducing this critical resolution.\u201d\n\nCongressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) said:\n\n\u201cAccess to safe, legal abortion is healthcare. It\u2019s as fundamental as any other medical service. I\u2019m proud to support this resolution because it sends a message that no matter where you live in this country, your rights to make decisions about your body and your health should not be up for debate. That\u2019s a matter for you, your doctor, and your family. Not the government.\u201d\n\nCongresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) said:\n\n\u201cI am proud to support this resolution. Abortion care is healthcare and women can\u2019t be free without their right to reproductive freedom. As the United States faces a maternal mortality crisis, draconian abortion bans are costing women their lives. Since Roe was overturned, women living in states that ban abortion are nearly two times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than states where abortion is legal and accessible. For women of color, the maternal mortality rate is even higher. Abortion is a healthcare issue, an autonomy issue, an equity issue, and a dignity issue\u2014we must fight to protect this fundamental right.\u201d\n\nThe resolution is endorsed by 160+ organizations. See endorsers here.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T20:09:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://mcclellan.house.gov/media/press-releases/mcclellan-joins-rep-nikema-williams-introduce-resolution-declaring-abortion"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 3.9421608671545982, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}