Schakowsky, Booker, Colleagues Reintroduce Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act to Repeal Harmful Helms Amendment

Full Text of Bill (PDF)

WASHINGTON - Today, on International Safe Abortion Day, U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act, legislation that would repeal the harmful Helms Amendment and ensure U.S. foreign assistance can support comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion care.

Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Norma Torres (CA-35), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10) joining Schakowsky as House co-leads of the legislation. More than 80+ House Members have joined the effort.

"Abortion is health care, no matter where you live. For nearly 50 years, the racist, harmful Helms Amendment has blocked U.S. foreign assistance from supporting abortion care, even where abortion is legal. That is wrong," said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. "Today, on International Safe Abortion Day and every day, we must stand with people around the world who deserve the freedom to make their own decisions about their bodies and their futures. The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act will repeal Helms and help make reproductive health care accessible to everyone, everywhere."

"For more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has restricted the use of U.S. foreign assistance for abortion care, with real consequences for women around the world," said Senator Cory Booker. "Women are turned away from safe care and denied information and counseling about their options. Providers are forced to treat abortion differently from other essential health services. That is not a policy grounded in science, compassion, or dignity. The Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act would end these restrictions and make clear that U.S. global health assistance can support comprehensive reproductive health care, including safe abortion care."

"The right to decide what is best for your body, health and family should not be dictated by borders," said Congresswoman Diana DeGette, Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus. "The Helms Amendment is a draconian policy that has blocked access to essential health care for far too long. It's time that Congress acts and ensures that no matter what community she calls home, every woman can access the full range of health care she needs - including abortion care."

"For decades, the reproductive health of millions of people-especially those in developing nations-has suffered as a result of the Helms Amendment barring U.S. foreign assistance from going to NGOs and clinics that provide abortion care," said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Co-Chair of the House Reproductive Freedom Caucus. "U.S. foreign aid to support health care in other countries falls desperately short by excluding reproductive health, and reinforces the criminalization and stigmatization of abortion care and reproductive health at home and abroad. This Administration's cruel approach to gutting foreign aid has cost people around the globe their lives. The United States must reverse course, reinvest in foreign aid, and treat reproductive care as essential care."

"Health care should not depend on your ZIP code, your income, or the country you call home," said Congresswoman Norma Torres. "For more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has denied people around the world access to comprehensive reproductive health care. The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act is important because every woman deserves the freedom to make decisions about her own body, health, and future."

"As MAGA extremists unleash their assault on women's rights, it is imperative to ensure reproductive health care for all," said Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland. "The Helms Amendment makes it impossible for millions of women across the globe to seek reproductive care - including routine preventative screenings - barring economic mobility and worsening the maternal health crisis. I am introducing the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act with Representative Schakowsky and over 80 of my colleagues today to repeal Helms, ensure equality, and continue the fight for women's rights worldwide."

The Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act would repeal the Helms Amendment and replace it with language authorizing U.S. foreign assistance for comprehensive reproductive health care services, including abortion services, training, and equipment.

The legislation is endorsed by leading reproductive health, global health, and human rights organizations.

"With the Trump Administration undermining foreign aid for sexual and reproductive health care, the stakes couldn't be higher. Repealing the Helms Amendment, which has long prohibited U.S. support for abortion services around the world, is a critical step toward ensuring people everywhere can access safe abortion care," said Kelly Baden, Vice President of US Policy & Communications, Guttmacher Institute. "We thank Sen. Booker, Rep. Schakowsky and their co-leads for introducing the Abortion Is Health Care Everywhere Act. Guttmacher's research makes the impact clear: ending Helms and supporting health care systems around the globe would avert 19 million unsafe abortions and 17,000 maternal deaths annually."

"For more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has denied people around the world reproductive freedom. It undermines global health and human rights. It's an archaic remnant of U.S. abortion politics that has always been completely divorced from the reality of the lives of the people it harms," said Brian Dixon, Sr. Vice President, Population Connection Action Fund. "It's long past time to repeal this disgraceful law and we are grateful to Senator Booker and Congresswoman Schakowsky for introducing this important legislation. We look forward to its passage."

"Everyone deserves to be able to get the healthcare they need when they need it," said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "For over 50 years, the Helms Amendment has put safe abortion care out of reach for people around the world served by U.S. foreign assistance, including global health, gender-based violence, and humanitarian programs. As we continue to fight back against abortion bans and restrictions in the U.S., we must also work to expand access and eliminate barriers abroad. We're thankful to Rep. Schakowsky, Sen. Booker, and their co-leads for their leadership in expanding access to essential healthcare."

"Comprehensive abortion care is health care. That is not a political assertion, it is a public health reality," said Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins, President and CEO, PAI. "When safe abortion care is not available, abortions do not stop. They become more dangerous, contributing to preventable maternal death and morbidity. For more than 50 years, the Helms Amendment has restricted U.S. foreign assistance for this care, putting women's health and lives at risk. U.S. global health policy should be grounded in evidence and focused on preventing needless maternal deaths and illness. It's time for Congress to pass the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act and repeal Helms."

The Helms Amendment was first enacted in 1973 and restricts U.S. foreign assistance from being used for abortion as a method of family planning.

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