Menendez, First Lady Tammy Murphy Rally with Planned Parenthood; Ring the Alarm Bell as SCOTUS Weighs Major Reproductive Rights Case

NEWARK, N.J. – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and First Lady Tammy Murphy today rallied with members of Planned Parenthood and other advocacy groups to highlight what’s at stake as the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) considers the controversial Texas law that has caused a virtual halt of safe and legal abortions in the state. If SCOTUS were to uphold the law, it could have serious implications on reproductive rights across the country.

“The threat to Roe v. Wade has never been graver. And that is why our commitment to reproductive rights must be stronger and louder and more unshakeable than ever,” said Sen. Menendez. “It should not matter if you live in New Jersey or New York or Texas or Mississippi – the right to make private medical decisions is protected by the U.S. Constitution and belongs to every American.”

“In New Jersey, we believe the question of whether or when to start a family is a personal one,” said New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Reckless new laws limiting or dismantling Roe v. Wade will only serve to endanger the health and safety of millions of people without wealth, privilege or power, and particularly women of color. When the Reproductive Freedom Act is sent to Governor Murphy’s desk to be signed, we will be one step closer to a future that protects the health, dignity, and autonomy of every New Jerseyan.”

The Texas law, known as S.B.8, bans abortions after six weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law also allows private citizens to sue doctors and anyone who “aids and abets” a woman seeking an abortion. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the two cases tied to S.B.8 last week.

“Rights without access are meaningless,” said Rahbbea Norton-Lee, Associate Medical Director of Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central and Southern New Jersey. “No matter a person’s income or zip code, insurance status or immigration status, no one should be denied the ability to get an abortion, continue a pregnancy, or access affordable birth control options.”

In December, the Supreme Court is expected to hear the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, tied to Mississippi’s unconstitutional law that could potentially overturn Roe v. Wade. In September, Sen. Menendez signed a bicameral amicus brief urging SCOTUS to uphold Roe and protect the constitutional right to an abortion case.

Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo and advocates from Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women of New Jersey joined Sen. Menendez and First Lady Murphy today on the steps of the Essex County Historic Courthouse.

Throughout his time in Congress, Sen. Menendez has stood up for a woman’s right to make her own medical decisions.

In June, the senator joined his colleagues in introducing the Women’s Health Protection Act which would guarantee equal access to abortion across the nation. Sen. Menendez also urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to swiftly review and rescind the Trump-era Title X domestic gag rule.

Sen. Menendez is an original cosponsor of the Protect Access to Birth Control Act which would nullify the rule that allows employers with religious or moral objections to be exempt from the Affordable Care Act’s requirement to cover contraceptive services without cost-sharing.

The senator opposed Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court and warned that women’s rights and reproductive rights could be rolled back if he were confirmed.

Sen. Menendez is also the lead sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment, which he reintroduced last month.