Good News for Washington, DC

The mantra “think local” took center-stage yet again today—this time, for reproductive rights advocates in the D.C. area. The House Appropriations Committee just voted to lift an anti-choice measure which has prevented the District of Columbia from using its locally raised funds to provide abortion for low-income women for almost every year since 1988. The Appropriations Committee vote was an important first step in defeating the ban which has limited care for D.C. women for almost two decades.

Next week, the bill will face the full House of Representatives for a vote and anti-choice advocates are expected to put up a fight. The measure will also be taken up by the Senate next week. Washington, D.C. is currently the only area where Congress has ultimate control over the locality’s spending and operations.

By Beth Budnick

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