Dear Lucas,
Across the country, Tea Party extremists are leading a vicious, sustained attack against reproductive rights and equal access to healthcare for women of all ages. I never thought this despicable cause would rear its ugly head in a state like New York, but Republicans in the State Senate have swung open the doors of our government and invited in the worst offenders.
Democrats led by State Senators Toby Stavisky, Liz Krueger and Andrea Stewart-Cousins recently introduced a simple resolution seeking only to designate the week of January 22nd as Reproductive Rights and Justice Week. As 3 of only 8 female Senators, they hoped this resolution would encourage public awareness of the challenges all women face when making personal, private health decisions.
In what can only be characterized as outright censorship, the GOP Majority not only refused to accept the resolution but returned it to the Senators with more than 90 percent of the language crossed out. They should be ashamed!
New York has a legacy of progressive activism that extends all the way back to its founding and we cannot allow Republicans in the State Senate to use such heavy-handed, draconian measures as they work to push an agenda completely out of touch with the mainstream.
In his State of the State message this month, Governor Cuomo called for the passage of the Reproductive Health Act. I stand with the Governor. I stand with Senators Toby Stavisky, Liz Krueger, Andrea Stewart-Cousins and all the other Democratic Senators who are sponsors of this critical legislation.
Join me as I work to put Democrats back in charge of the State Senate and support a more progressive agenda that will protect women's rights, safeguard the environment and ensure that those who can most easily afford it pay their fair share.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand
US Senator
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