This resolution affirms reproductive justice as a fundamental human right and a pillar of American democracy, calling for universal access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, family support, and protection from systemic discrimination.
Lateefah Simon
Representative
CA-12
This resolution affirms that reproductive justice—including the rights to have children, not have children, and raise families with dignity—is a fundamental human right and a pillar of American democracy. It calls for a national commitment to protect bodily autonomy, eliminate systemic barriers to healthcare, and ensure equitable access to the resources necessary for all families to thrive.
Reproductive Justice Resolution Frames Bodily Autonomy as a Pillar of American Democracy for the 250th Anniversary
This resolution marks the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States by framing reproductive justice not just as a health issue, but as a core requirement for a functioning democracy. It formally adopts a 'Reproductive Justice' framework—a concept originally pioneered by Black women organizers in 1994—which centers on three specific rights: the right to have children, the right not to have children, and the right to raise children in safe and healthy environments. By linking these rights to economic security and racial justice, the resolution aims to set a national standard for how the government should protect personal autonomy and family dignity.
The Three Pillars of Personal Freedom
The resolution breaks down its vision into three clear categories that affect everyone from young professionals to growing families. First, it affirms the right to have children, which means ensuring equitable maternal healthcare and protecting people from forced sterilization or the criminalization of pregnancy (Section: Rights to Safe Childbirth). Second, it protects the right not to have children by advocating for the constitutional enshrining of abortion access and the removal of financial barriers to contraception (Section: Reproductive Freedom and Abortion Rights). Finally, it addresses the right to raise a family with dignity, which connects reproductive health to everyday economic needs like universal paid family leave, affordable childcare, and living wages (Section: Family Supports).
Beyond the Doctor's Office
This isn't just about what happens in an exam room; it’s about the infrastructure of modern life. The resolution calls for a universal healthcare system that includes everything from gender-affirming care to fertility treatments like IVF, ensuring these aren't just perks for those with high-end insurance (Section: Fertility and Family Formation). It also takes a hard stand against 'Hyde Amendment-style' restrictions, which currently prevent federal funds from covering abortion, arguing that your bank account or ZIP code shouldn't dictate your medical options. For a working parent, this could eventually mean a shift toward a system where prenatal care, birth, and the subsequent weeks of paid leave are treated as a single, guaranteed package rather than a series of expensive hurdles.
Protecting the Future of Family Formation
Looking forward, the resolution addresses modern challenges like emerging reproductive technologies and the increasing legal scrutiny of pregnancy outcomes. It condemns the criminalization of miscarriages and stillbirths while calling for ethical frameworks for new fertility tech to prevent discriminatory applications. By defining reproductive freedom as a human right rather than a political football, the resolution seeks to create a future where the decision to start or end a pregnancy is legally protected and economically supported, regardless of an individual's employment status or immigration history.