Washington – DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz issued the following statement on the 43rd anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision:
 
“On this day 43 years ago, the Supreme Court settled one of the most important and controversial questions in our legal history – do women have a constitutional right to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive health? The decision known as Roe v. Wade made it absolutely clear that a woman’s right to choose is a constitutionally protected, private matter between her and her doctor.
 
“Still, despite the clarity of the ruling, far right politicians from the local to the national level have continued to try to control women’s bodies by legislating their way into health clinics, hospitals and doctor’s offices. Time and time again, we’ve seen Republicans vote to close reproductive clinics and eliminate funding for women’s health care. Where they have prevailed, limits to contraceptive care and safe abortion procedures have led to increased rates of unintended pregnancies and dangerous attempts at self-induced abortion. 
 
“What’s especially troubling is that the current field of Republican candidates for president is the most extreme in recent memory when it comes to women’s health. Some even oppose abortion in the cases of rape and incest. 
 
“For 43 years, millions of women have been liberated by Roe v. Wade to make their own health care decisions. But despite that progress, the battle is clearly not over. Far right political ideology keeps creeping into clinics, and for many American women, the consequences are devastating. The good news is that voters this November will have a clear choice. The Republican candidates have all vowed to drag women’s rights backward. The Democrats would all stand up for women’s health. That’s what’s at stake, and that’s why everyone who values women’s health must vote come Election Day.”