Dear Friends, Today, we should be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Instead, we are dealing with the fallout of the egregious Supreme Court decision in June 2022 that took away the constitutional right to reproductive freedom that women have enjoyed for the last fifty years.The impacts have been severe. Twelve states have completely outlawed abortion. Many more have enacted strict restrictions. We know these laws hurt those least able to cope. Especially those living in poverty, victims in abusive relationships, women without access to contraceptives, and mothers who are already struggling. These impacts have been felt most strongly by Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities.  These laws also put doctors in untenable situations where they are forced to decide between losing their license or performing life-saving medical procedures.  One of the new House majority’s first orders of “business” were two cynical bills meant to demonize abortion providers and those who need the procedure. Just months after the American public clearly rejected anti-abortion lawmakers, this strategy only makes sense if you believe in denying American women the right to control their reproductive health care.  In contrast, last Congress I was proud to join fellow progressives to pass legislation to codify the right to an abortion through the Women’s Health Protection Act. It was shameful that the Senate was unable to send this legislation to the President’s desk to be signed into law.  Thankfully, abortion remains safe, legal, and accessible in Oregon. Oregon is the only state in the nation with no restrictions on abortion access. Governor Kotek and our pro-choice congressional delegation are committed to keeping it that way. Our fifty-year battle for reproductive freedom has entered a new phase. It is clear that the right to make individual choices cannot be taken for granted. We must be as focused, as determined, and strategic as our opponents have been. We must be prepared to fight each new legal challenge to abortion care and tirelessly protect health care providers who offer abortion services and the patients that need them.  This is the beginning of a new chapter in our fight to protect access to care.