Chop Wood, Carry Water 6/24
Two years since Dobbs.
Hi, all, and happy Monday!
Of course, it’s not totally happy, is it? Because today is the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v Wade.
Since this whole painful process started in state legislatures, continues to be fought out in state legislatures, and will largely be fixed by flipping state legislatures, I’m going to do something I’ve never done before and turn today’s intro over to an expert on that topic: the amazing Gaby Goldstein, co-founder of Sister District.
So here’s Gaby!
Two Years Since Dobbs - Wildly Different Visions for the Future in our States
Gaby Goldstein, Sister District Co-Founder
This week marks the grim two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v Wade and returned the right to safe and legal abortion access back to states. While the decision shocked many on the left, the truth is that Roe’s protections had been slipping away for decades, through a lack of sustained, long-term investment in progressive state policies, state legislators and state infrastructure. In other words, the fall of Roe was a long time coming, bought and paid for by a conservative movement that has built power in our courts and our states for generations.
So how are things going two years later? As in so many other areas of policy that the revanchist Supreme Court has turned back to states, like voting rights and environmental protection, we are increasingly seeing red and blue states pursuing wildly divergent visions for the future when it comes to reproductive rights and health policy.
On one hand, we see red states passing abortion restrictions that are deeply out of step with science and public opinion. These include travel restrictions, laws to preempt blue cities’ abortion access programs, and laws prohibiting medically-necessary abortions even when it constitutes life-saving care. Red states are also pushing to further restrict medication abortion, exemplified by Louisiana, which just became the first state to make mifepristone and misoprostol controlled dangerous substances. Decades of policies rooted in systemic racism mean that these restrictions fall disproportionately on communities of color, including Black women. And we know conservatives are coming for IVF and contraception next.
But on the other hand, we see blue states acting swiftly, aggressively, and cooperatively to expand abortion access and funding. First of all, 17 states have passed innovative ‘Shield Laws’, which protect abortion providers, helpers, and seekers in states where abortion remains legal from legal attacks taken by anti-abortion states. And an alliance of 23 pro-choice Governors has banded together to proactively coordinate and develop strategies to strengthen reproductive rights and health care access across states.
Other examples abound of blue states taking aggressive action to expand access. California launched The Abortion Practical Support Fund, which helps out-of-state people travel for abortions. New York passed the Reproductive Health Act, which codifies Roe and removes outdated barriers to care. And Oregon lawmakers ensured that abortion services are covered by insurance, including Medicaid, making it more accessible for low-income individuals.
Two years since Dobbs, one thing is crystal clear. As the courts fail to protect reproductive rights and freedom, and the federal government remains truly incapable of passing comprehensive legislation, state legislatures are more important than ever. Our very lives are in the hands of our state legislators.
We have to get involved – by electing state legislators who will fight to protect reproductive freedom, and amplifying their voices once elected. At Sister District, we are committed to this fight by supporting candidates and lawmakers who will aggressively pursue abortion rights, and who are setting the stage for reproductive justice. Our mission is to build enduring progressive state-level power, and every legislative win brings us closer to a future where every person’s bodily autonomy is protected and respected. Join us to phonebank for pro-choice state legislative candidates, write some postcards with a local Sister District team, and tell your family and friends – a few dollars and dials make a huge difference at this level of the ballot, where seats and entire chambers are decided by handfuls of votes. Together, let’s stave off despair, elect great state leaders, and ensure that our states are strong, creative, and permanent bastions of reproductive freedom.
Thanks, Gaby! I couldn’t have said it better myself.
As I mentioned last week, I’m co-hosting an event with Sister District later this evening—come and hear more about the incredible work they’re doing and how you can help.
What starts—badly—in the states can be finished there, too. Let’s do it together. And let’s wash this country clean with a tide of blue votes so huge that no forced birther can withstand it!
In fact, let’s start right now.
Call Your Senators (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is ______.
It’s the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, and I’m calling to say that I’m disgusted by what’s happened to our country since then. Our maternal mortality rates are getting worse. 171,000 women had to travel out of state last year to get the reproductive healthcare they needed. Women are being turned away from emergency rooms. Doctors are being threatened with prosecution for doing their jobs. 64,000 women across the country have been forced to carry their rapists pregnancies to term. It’s a disaster. I want the Senate to pass S. 701 the Women’s Health Protection Act now. Politicians shouldn’t be controlling what we do with our bodies. If they can’t understand that then we will vote them out in November.
Call Your House Rep (find yours here) 📲
Hi, I'm a constituent calling from [zip]. My name is _______.
It’s the two-year anniversary of the Dobbs decision, and I’m calling to say that I’m disgusted by what’s happened to our country since then. Our maternal mortality rates are getting worse. 171,000 women had to travel out of state last year to get the reproductive healthcare they needed. Women are being turned away from emergency rooms. Doctors are being threatened with prosecution for doing their jobs. 64,000 women across the country have been forced to carry their rapists pregnancies to term. It’s a disaster. I want the House to pass HR 12 the Women’s Health Protection Act now. Politicians shouldn’t be controlling what we do with our bodies. If they can’t understand that then we will vote them out in November.
Extra Credit ✅
Sign up to host a debate watch party!
From Team Biden-Harris:
On June 27 on the debate stage in Atlanta, the American people will see two distinct visions for the future: President Biden’s vision, where freedoms are protected and all Americans have a fair shot, versus Donald Trump’s “vision,” where he has pledged to serve as a dictator on “day one,” give tax cuts to the ultra-wealthy, and attack women’s rights repeatedly. We cannot defeat Donald Trump and the threat he poses alone – it will take all of us. Please consider hosting a debate watch party, either virtual or in person, from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, June 27. Invite all your friends and create the invitation using this Link!
Learn more about how to host a debate watch party HERE!
Let's finish the job!
Get Smart! 📚
Elections happening this November will decide the future of our country — and we’re not just talking about the race for the White House. State legislative races will decide whether millions of Americans can access lifesaving reproductive healthcare, whether families can afford basic necessities, and critically, if democracy can be protected. The stakes in the states have never been higher.
That’s why on Thursday, June 27 from 3-4 PM ET The States Project is teaming up with Former Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. and the National Democratic Redistricting Committee to talk about how you can maximize your impact in the time we have left before Election Day. Holder is amazing—this should be a great event.
Spread the Word! 📣
DemCast made a social media toolkit to help spread the word about corporate greed and how it’s funding MAGA. I have to say, it is amazing. Please use it to share a meme or video! The below is my favorite; it’s been viewed almost 225K times since I posted it on IG:
Give 💰!
Join Force Multiplier in supporting the Blue Surge Turnout Fund to help 40 grassroots groups in 9 states reach 3.2 million voters to create a Blue Surge!
Meet some of the leaders of these groups on Zoom TODAY, Monday, June 24, 7:00-8:00pm ET. You’ll learn more about their national effort to turn out Blue Surge voters.
Greg Speed, President of America Votes, will discuss the group's national voter mobilization strategy. Alex Gomez from Living United for Change in Arizona and Steve Paul from One Pennsylvania will speak about connecting with voters in their states. It’s going to be great!
REGISTER + DONATE TO THE BLUE SURGE TURNOUT FUND.
Resistbot Letter (new to Resistbot? Go here! And then here.) 💻
[To: all 3 reps ] [H/T] [Text SIGN PNQSSE to Resistbot at 50409 or via Apple Messages / WHATSAPP / MESSENGER]
I understand that a group of Democratic lawmakers have introduced a bill called the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2024, bicameral legislation that would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation, and make other improvements to expand the award for working students and families. For the first time, this legislation would also expand the program to include Dreamers.
The Pell Grant program is the cornerstone of federal financial aid for postsecondary education, serving over 6 million undergraduate students. We should expand it to put higher education in reach so that every student has the opportunity to succeed.
In addition to doubling the Pell Grant maximum award and indexing the maximum award for inflation, the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act makes the Pell Grant funding fully mandatory to protect it from funding shortfalls and restores lifetime eligibility for the program to 18 semesters, among other changes that will benefit students.
Please pass this wonderful legislation! The whole country benefits when higher education is more affordable.
OK, you did it again! You helped save democracy! You’re amazing.
Talk soon.
Jess
Great column. Thanks. And I love the bit at the end. So sadly true and any regular person who is still enamored of billionaires and the Heritage Foundation at this point has rocks in their head and/or very little sense of self-preservation. But we do not have rocks in our head and we do have a strong sense of self-preservation which is why we will win in November, before November, and beyond November.
I've used up all of my free resistbots.