Washington, DC — Today, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) hosted a press call with the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund ahead of the 50th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. The panelists discussed how the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization that overturned Roe has firmly shifted the future of abortion access to the states — and electing Democratic state officials who will protect abortion access in this new landscape has never been more important. The panelists also highlighted the importance of abortion access and reproductive rights at the state level – including the victories in the 2022 midterm election cycle. 

On the press call, California AG Rob Bonta said, “From the halls of the legislature to the Office of Attorney General, the future of abortion rights is right here on this call. It’s at the state level. The voters made their choice, and I will always defend their choice. With a divided Congress for the next two years and a 2024 presidential race that will certainly bring surprises and some uncertainty for the nation, the key battles for reproductive access will be fought at the state level in the next two years and beyond. We’re determined that the 50th anniversary of Roe will be the darkest one and that it only gets better from here, that freedom and choice can one day again be unfettered, fully protected under the law at the state level first and then one day again, nationally.”

Michigan AG Dana Nessel said, “But even for those of us who now live in blue states or in states where abortion care and other forms of reproductive rights are fully protected, we still care deeply about those who live in other states. And so, for those of us who are on this call, and for so many others out there, we are determined to do everything in our power to continue to fight for Americans in every state in this nation to ensure that we are electing pro-choice Democrats up and down the ballot, including statewide electeds and those in state legislatures, and to ensure that all people in every state can fully be considered to be first-class citizens.”

DLCC Board Chair and New York State Sen. Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “During the midterm elections, the DLCC and Democrats defied the odds and made history at the state legislative level of the ballot. This was the first midterm that the party in power did not lose a single state legislative chamber since at least 1934. These historic wins are a clear sign that voters understand. Still, so many of the consequential decisions are made at the state legislative level of the ballot with a gridlock, gridlocked Congress and an ultra-conservative Supreme Court. State Democrats remain one of the last lines of defense for abortion access. The reality is this fight just began, and state races are the single best way to protect and defend abortion rights.”

Pennsylvania State Sen. Vincent Hughes said, “Thanks to our hard-working lawmakers in the DLCC, we made sweeping progress last cycle, and now it’s time for us to double down on that fight and gain even more ground in 2023 and 2024. Every single Democratic trifecta has either protected abortion rights or is working to enshrine those rights with newly won majorities, and that is where Democrats will continue to make progress on this issue. But Republicans won’t stop, and the fight is far from over. The anniversary of the Roe decision is an opportunity for us to recommit to defending these freedoms for all Americans as we face a radicalized GOP.”

Helene Krasnoff, Vice President, Public Policy Litigation & Law, Planned Parenthood Action Fund said, “Reproductive freedom won six of six ballot referendums last year, and due to litigation by Planned Parenthood Federation of America along with our coalition partners, there are nine states where abortion bans have been blocked by the state courts places like Indiana, Iowa, Utah, and South Carolina. Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood advocacy and political organizations fought to elect and reelect leaders at all levels of government who will fight for our rights, some of whom are here today with us. As we continue to adapt to this post-Roe world, we look forward to working with our partners and state leaders across the country to restore this essential right for generations to come. No ban, no judge, no politician could ever interfere with anyone’s right to control their own lives, bodies or futures.”

Email press@dems.ag to obtain a copy of the recording.

###