ACLU Applauds House Introduction of “Prevention First” Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: media@dcaclu.org

Washington – The American Civil Liberties Union applauded the introduction of the Prevention First Act by Representatives Louise Slaughter (D – NY) and Diana DeGette (D – CO) in the House of Representatives. Like the companion bill introduced by Senator Harry Reid (D – NV), the Prevention First Act is a packet of proposals aimed at improving women’s reproductive health and reducing the need for abortion by preventing unintended pregnancies.

The following can be attributed to Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:

“The Prevention First Act is a proactive, commonsense measure to protect the reproductive health of all women. The bill should appeal to people across the political spectrum, as it seeks to reduce the need for abortion by providing women with the means and education to prevent unintended pregnancies in the first place. It would prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases by expanding access to contraception. It would improve the health of women and their children by increasing funding for reproductive health care. And it would provide compassionate assistance for survivors of sexual assault, by ensuring information and access to emergency contraception upon request. These are mainstream proposals that will go a long way toward improving the lives of all women. The ACLU supports this important legislation, and we hope it receives the bipartisan support it deserves.”