DeGette and Slaughter Call Out New Republican Attempt to Undo D.C. Protections for Women’s Health

Reps. Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Louise Slaughter (NY-25), the co-chairs of the House Pro-Choice Caucus, criticized emerging Republican plans to move legislation interfering with the District of Columbia's newly-passed protections for women and their reproductive health choices.

"Women's personal medical decisions aren't their bosses' business, and they certainly aren't Congress's business either," said Reps. Slaughter and DeGette. "No woman should have an employer or a politician interfering with her personal medical decisions, and women living in Washington, D.C. certainly don't deserve extra interference from Republicans in Congress. We support the efforts of the D.C. Council and will work to make sure these bills become law."

The Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act prohibits D.C. employers from discriminating against employees based on their personal reproductive health decisions. The House Oversight and Government Committee has announced plans for next Tuesday to mark up a resolution of disapproval filed by Rep. Diane Black (TN-06).

Under the Home Rule Act of 1973, all legislation passed by the District of Columbia must be transmitted to Congress for a review period before it can take effect. Anti-discrimination bills, including the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment, were transmitted for a 30-legislative day review period on March 6, 2015. A bill takes effect at the expiration of the review period unless a resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during that period.

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