Allred Votes to Protect Women's Right to Travel to Access Abortion Care

Congressman Colin Allred (TX-32) today voted for the Ensuring Access to Abortion Act of 2022. The bill prohibits any person acting under state law, including private parties, from punishing Americans traveling for reproductive health care, which is protected by the constitutional right to travel. Allred is a cosponsor of the bill, which was led by Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07).

"The Supreme Court's dangerous decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is already having serious consequences for Texas women. Those who are lucky enough to take the time off and have the ability to travel out of state are being forced to drive at least five hours to access abortion services," said Allred. "As we continue to fight to protect abortion access for Texas women and the extreme policies harming Texas women, this bill is an important step to ensure women are able to travel across state lines to get the care that they need."

Allred spoke on the House floor in support of the legislation this week.

The bill would:

Prohibit any person acting under state law from restricting or impeding;
a person's constitutional right to travel across state lines for the purpose of obtaining a lawful abortion.
a person or entity's ability to assist an individual in traveling across state lines for the purpose of obtaining a lawful abortion.
any health care provider in providing or otherwise enabling lawful abortion services in that state.
Empower the U.S. Attorney General to bring a civil action for declaratory and injunctive relief against any person who is in violation of this law.
Create a private right of action for any person harmed by a violation of this law to obtain declaratory and injunctive relief, damages, and attorneys' fees.

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