PPAWI Statement on GOP Platform

Madison, Wis. – Headlines declared the GOP platform “softened” on abortion opposition. The reality is nothing has changed, and a national abortion ban is still possible and the goal of the GOP.

The following is a statement from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin Chief Strategy Officer Michelle Velasquez.

“The GOP platform is dangerous, disingenuous, and out of touch with the overwhelming majority of Wisconsinites on everything, including abortion.

The overturning of Roe has created a patchwork of laws, restrictions, and different standards of care across the country. All of which creates chaos, confusion, and fear. All of which puts the lives and health of women and people who can become pregnant at risk.

The absence of federal protection for people to receive abortion care means that some states protect reproductive freedom and equal citizenship for people who can become pregnant, while others do not.

The description of overturning of Roe as simply “returning the power to the states” is dishonest.  The GOP, and the anti-abortion movement, want to create a national ban. Anti-abortion groups have already indicated the platform leaves open the possibility of a national abortion ban and fetal personhood. Constitutional protections for fetuses would mean that it is the Constitution itself that prohibits abortion – a direct conflict with abortion as a state’s rights issue.

Whether legislatively or through the courts, the attacks on abortion, contraception, IVF, and gender affirming care have intensified. These attacks are not only at the state level. We are seeing them play out in the federal courts, where disastrous decisions would limit or eliminate access to abortion even in states that have chosen to protect reproductive rights. The GOP platform on abortion has not softened. It continues to put the health and lives of millions of people at risk.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.