Story perspectives

Democratic Women’s Caucus Pushes Nationwide Abortion Access Bill

6/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Democratic Women’s Caucus launched a legislative push to restore nationwide abortion access four years after Dobbs.
Chair Teresa Leger Fernández and vice chairs Emilia Sykes and Hillary Scholten pledged to pursue the legislation.
Since Dobbs, abortions have risen each year due to telemedicine, shield laws and looser state restrictions, while federal funding cuts and state bans have closed clinics, prompting training of primary-care doctors and use of urgent-care sites.

History

Historical Context

Roe v. Wade (1973) established a constitutional abortion right, affirmed by a 7-2 Supreme Court ruling written by Justice Harry Blackmun and backed by a 500,000-member National Organization for Women rally. The 2022 Dobbs decision overturned Roe and Casey, returning regulation to states. The Women’s Caucus—led by Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández with vice chairs Emilia Sykes and Hillary Scholten—has drafted legislation to restore nationwide abortion access.

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Story summary

The Democratic Women’s Caucus launched a legislative push to restore nationwide abortion access four years after Dobbs.
Chair Teresa Leger Fernández and vice chairs Emilia Sykes and Hillary Scholten pledged to pursue the legislation.
Since Dobbs, abortions have risen each year due to telemedicine, shield laws and looser state restrictions, while federal funding cuts and state bans have closed clinics, prompting training of primary-care doctors and use of urgent-care sites.

1 / 2