Women's_Health_Protection_Act
The Women's Health Protection Act (H.R. 12) is a piece of legislation introduced in the United States House of Representatives aimed at expanding abortion rights established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. It was first introduced in 2013 by Congresswoman Judy Chu and sponsored by Senator Richard Blumenthal. In the 117th Congress, the act was re-introduced in response to Whole Woman's Health v. Jackson and later Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. In September 2021, it passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 218-211,[1] and again by a vote of 219-210 in July 2022,[2] but it was defeated in the Senate on a 46–48 vote in February 2022[3][4][5][6] and a 49–51 vote in May 2022.[7]
Among key facets of the bill include preventing state and local governments from regulating abortions before fetal viability, or when the mother's life or health is at risk after fetal viability, and preventing government from restricting access to abortion services unless a compelling state interest has been shown in such restrictions. Violations would be investigated and prosecuted by the Department of Justice.
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