Sen. Cordell Cleare — Statement on Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund Bill

NEW YORK, May 26, 2022 — Today, in Foley Square, I will stand alongside Assemblywoman Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas and a spectrum of advocates to underscore the need for our Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund Bill (S.9078/A.10148-A), in a rally for women’s reproductive health. 

Incredibly, we live in a world of multiple, multi-layered crises—an affordable housing crisis, a gun violence epidemic, persistent income inequality, racism, sexism and white supremacy. In addition, we have a Supreme Court whose thinking comes straight out of the 1850’s. 

We are getting dangerously close to both the end of Session and the cessation of the Supreme Court's current term. 

The time to pass our Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund Bill is not today, but yesterday. Our courageous women’s health service providers need our real and tangible support this instant. 

We must take action in Albany next week, we must pass a package of bills, and then we must come back as often as needed to address any monstrosity that emanates from the Supreme Court. 

Some have said we should leave this to until the next budget cycle and I could not disagree more with that flawed and privileged logic. 

Leaving this conversation to the FY 2023-24 budget cycle is not a responsible or rational decision as our women and our women's health care providers need our fiscal and programmatic support right now. 

With the number of advocates, organizations, service providers and legislators who support the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Fund Bill, I know that together, we can move heaven and earth to get it done next week. 

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