CA Women Leaders Oppose Speaker Paul Ryan’s Efforts to Defund Planned Parenthood

Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore Autumn Baker along with Chair and Vice Chair of the CA Legislative Women’s Caucus Cristina Garcia and Senator Connie M. Leyva Denounce Congressional Republicans’ proposal to deny health care for women

Sacramento – On Thursday, Assistant Speaker Pro Tempore Autumn R. Burke (D-Inglewood) and the leadership of the CA Legislative Women’s Caucus, Chair Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and Vice-Chair Senator Connie M Leyva (D-Chino) reinforcing California’s commitment to protect and enhance health care access for women, strongly oppose House Speaker Paul Ryan’s proposal to defund Planned Parenthood.

“I would like to speak individually to all residents of California, this proposal by Congressional Republicans, to defund Planned Parenthood, is about respect for you, for your judgement about your personal decisions in terms of your reproductive needs, the size and timing of your family and every American’s basic right to health care,” said Burke. “My colleague and I ask for all Californians, who believe in access to health care for all and the right to each individual American as stated in our Constitution, to join us in opposing this effort by House Speaker Paul Ryan and his Republican caucus members,” said Autumn R. Burke (D-Inglewood).

“As Chair of the Women’s Caucus, I am proud to stand with my colleagues, including Assemblymember Burke who has been a champion to expand access to reproductive right and we must now fight to protect the gains we’ve made,” – Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens)
As the Vice Chair of the California Legislative Women’s Caucus, I firmly believe that women and men across California deserve access to quality health care services. The proposed defunding of Planned Parenthood would not only negatively affect women, but also families and communities in California and throughout the nation.” – Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino)

Planned Parenthood’s seven California Affiliates serve nearly one million women in 115 health centers throughout our state, many who could not access or afford care anywhere else. Planned Parenthood has been safe, culturally sensitive and secure health provider where one in five women in the nation have sought confidential, professional and compassionate care. Planned Parenthood’s doors are open to everyone no matter their age, gender, ethnicity, race, religion, or immigration status.

About the California Legislative Women’s Caucus

The Legislative Women’s Caucus represents and advocates on behalf of the diverse interests of women, children and families throughout California. It seeks to increase participation and representation of women in state government. Members of the Legislative Women’s Caucus seek to promote sound legislative policies and budget priorities that will improve the well-being of women, children and families and to work cooperatively with local, state and national women’s organizations interested in advancing policies to achieve these same objectives.

Website: www.womenscaucus.legislature.ca.gov