“For immediate release: October 16, 2018
Contact: media@prochoiceamerica.org”
With threats to Roe v. Wade and in the lead up to the WA-08 debate this week, NARAL Pro-Choice America is calling on the moderators to ask the candidates about their views on reproductive health care and abortion. NARAL sent a letter to the two moderators defining the stark contrast in the race between Kim Schrier and Dino Rossi when it comes to their views on a woman’s right to choose.
“Abortion is not a “niche” issue. Asking about abortion means demanding that the candidates tell us what they think about gender equality and a woman’s right to determine what happens to her own body. It means moving a complex discussion past the simple “pro-choice” and “pro-life” labels so they can talk about their ideas for supporting women and families. It means determining whether a candidate thinks a woman deserves full access to the values of freedom, equality, and opportunity that Washingtonians believe in.”
– Nicole Brener-Schmitz in her letter to the moderators of Tuesday’s debate
See the full letter below:
Natalie Brand
1501 1st Ave. South
Suite 300
Seattle, WA 98134
Ross Reynolds
4518 University Way NE
Suite 310
Seattle, WA 98105
Dear Natalie and Ross,
Debates are a critical opportunity to hold candidates accountable on issues that
directly impact the lives of all Washingtonians in Congressional District 08. Few issues are as important to the well-being of citizens across the state than the ability to decide if, when, and how to start a family. Yet, voters have been denied a robust debate on these topics despite the clear separation between Dino Rossi and Kim Schrier on these vital issues. We are contacting you today to urge you to ensure that this important discussion is included in your upcoming debate.
We request that you ask the candidates how they plan to address the crisis of abortion access in Washington we know that Roe has never been a reality without access to abortion and with the very real threat to Roe v. Wade being gutted or overturned the new makeup of the Supreme Court could make access more difficult in some communities. Safe, legal, and accessible abortion is foundational to a woman’s ability to determine her own destiny. It is an issue close to the lives of Washingtonians male and female, young and old, single and married, childless or parents. Rossi and Schrier both have proven records and have taken stances on where they align on women’s reproductive freedom.
Abortion is not a “niche” issue. Asking about abortion means demanding that the candidates tell us what they think about gender equality and a woman’s right to determine what happens to her own body. It means moving a complex discussion past the simple “pro-choice” and “pro-life” labels so they can talk about their ideas for supporting women and families. It means determining whether a candidate thinks a woman deserves full access to the values of freedom, equality, and opportunity that Washingtonians believe in.
Opening up this conversation would allow voters to compare the two agendas of the candidates: do they believe women should be equal partners in society, or would they prefer to punish women and control our bodies for ideological reasons.
In past debates, moderators have typically posed questions about abortion that skirt the lived reality of countless women. We hope that your questions capture the true needs of women.
Below are questions we propose you ask:
1. Given that 7 in 10 voters support keeping abortion both legal and accessible, which candidate believes they best represent the will of Washington voters?
2. Among all of the barriers to accessing abortion care for American women, financial burdens rank highest. Many policies prevent low-income women from using public health insurance to access this medical service, and clinic closure laws have been so detrimental that it now requires considerable financial means to take time off work, find childcare and travel long distances to access abortion care. How would you ensure that the constitutional right to abortion is guaranteed to all families in Washington, regardless of their income status?
3. There are nearly 60 fake women’s health centers, currently operating in Washington. Many of these centers hold themselves out to the public as having doctors on staff and as providing abortion services and birth control, when in fact they do not. Do you believe that these fake women’s health centers should have to legally disclose their true mission and the services that they provide clearly in an effort to not deceive a woman in order to keep her from having an abortion?
Sincerely,
Nicole Brener-Schmitz
National Political Director
NARAL Pro-Choice America
