We're Not Fighting For Roe
We're fighting for something better and so much more
Three years ago today, SCOTUS overturned Roe v. Wade and millions of Americans lost the right to abortion. This isn’t an anniversary. It’s a reckoning.
A reckoning with the fact that we live in a country where women’s rights change from state to state but men’s rights don’t. A reckoning with a legal system that protected property before it protected bodily autonomy.
But also, maybe, a recognition. Because here’s the truth: Roe was never enough. It was the floor. Maybe even the basement. We’re not fighting for Roe; we’re fighting for something bigger. We had the opportunity to discuss what this looks like with Reproductive Freedom For All CEO, Mini Timmaraju. Let’s dive in…
When Roe was decided in 1973, it was groundbreaking but also deeply flawed. It didn’t affirm a fundamental right to abortion. It affirmed privacy generally between doctors and patients. It also didn’t protect access regardless of income or race. Nor did it stop the Hyde Amendment from cutting off federal funds from supporting abortion services.
It was the best that could be done at the time but it left many behind.
So when Roe fell, while devastating, what crumbled wasn’t a foundation. It was a fragile compromise. And the silver lining is this: We now have the chance to build something much stronger.
Three years in, we’ve seen the damage:
Abortion is fully banned in 13 states, 28 states have gestational restrictions.
Maternal mortality is rising in states with total bans.
The number of people traveling out of state annually to obtain an abortion has doubled (155,000 people in 2024).
Women are nearly twice as likely to die during pregnancy where abortion is illegal.
Infant deaths are 5.6% higher in states with bans.
We said this during the 2024 campaign cycle when Biden ran on the slogan “Restore Roe" and we’ll say it again: We’re no longer fighting for Roe. We’re fighting for real, universal, unapologetic reproductive freedom.
And we’re not starting from scratch because Democrats in Congress have introduced 35 bills so far in 2025 to protect and expand abortion rights nationwide. Here are a shortlist of a few you should know:
Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act - Reintroduced TODAY by Congresswoman Lizzy Fletcher and more than 128 original co-sponsors, this bill protects the constitutional right to travel between the states, including for the purpose of getting reproductive health care.
Women’s Health Protection Act – Reintroduced TODAY by Senators Shaheen and Hassan; this bill would codify the right to abortion nationwide by invalidating state bans and medically unnecessary restrictions.
My Body, My Data Act – Introduced June 2025 by Rep. Sara Jacobs and Sens. Hirono & Wyden. It protects reproductive-health data privacy, barring companies from misusing personal health information.
Abortion Care Awareness Act - Introduced in April 2025 by Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Dan Goldman this bill would ensure increased access to medically accurate information about abortion, including medication abortion.
Right to Contraception Act – Introduced in February 2025 by Sen. Markey and Rep. Fletcher (and Sen. Hirono), this act enshrines free, on-demand contraception and protects providers from political interference.
This is what progress looks like. It’s not a return to Roe, it’s a reinvention. Because real freedom isn’t fragile. And it shouldn’t depend on your zip code.
How This Affects You
Roe’s fall exposed how little protection there was to begin with and why we need bold federal action, not state-by-state survival
Legislation is already written, we just need the votes to pass it
You may live in a “safe” state now, but without national protections, that could change overnight
Reproductive freedom is the blueprint for gender equality; no policy on economic justice, education, or family leave works if people can’t control their own bodies
What You Can do
Call your congressional members or senators - ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE REPUBLICAN - to support any and/or all of these bills.
This is active legislation that needs multiple rounds of congressional support to make it our of committee and on to the House or Senate floor. Your members and senators need to hear from you every step of the way.
Look up your congressional member here OR your senator here and call the Capital Switchboard at (202) 224-3121 to be connected to the right office and demand your representative’s support for abortion rights.
Tip: It’s best to make one call per bill so each is clocked as a constituent demand.
Tip: Use 5 Calls to find the best script to support your call. Comment below if you need more specific language!
Special Offer
We launched Repro Ready - and the broader @GEMMA_Talks platform - in the wake of the Dobbs decision, when abortion rights were stripped from millions across the U.S. Our mission has always been to make information about abortion, bodily autonomy, and gender equality accessible to everyone, not just those directly impacted, but anyone who cares about freedom and fairness.
We’ve never put our work behind a paywall, but we do invite those who can to support it. As we mark the upcoming anniversary of Dobbs, we’re offering a limited-time discount on Repro Ready subscriptions of 20% off for one year. If this work matters to you, will you consider becoming a paid subscriber or upgrading?
Find us @GEMMA_Talks, @evexplains, @pariphrased
Yes, please, may we have more specific language for calls to our Congresspeople? Thank you!
I had no idea the Dems put forth so many bills to create a better policy on bodily autonomy, and reproductive freedom. We MUST regain both Houses, and get these passed ASAP. Thank you for keeping us informed.