Article Summary –
Delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention have adopted a new party platform emphasizing the protection of reproductive freedom and women’s rights, including restoring Roe v. Wade, strengthening access to contraception, and supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. The platform contrasts sharply with the Republican platform, which celebrates the overturning of Roe v. Wade and emphasizes state-level control over abortion laws, while also supporting prenatal care, access to birth control, and IVF treatments. Senate Republicans recently blocked bills aimed at guaranteeing nationwide access to contraception and IVF treatment.
Delegates to the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago have approved a new party platform committing to reproductive freedom and women’s rights.
Adopted on Aug. 19, the platform highlights that former President Donald Trump appointed Supreme Court justices who overturned Roe v. Wade. It notes Trump’s Republican efforts curtailed access to abortion, contraception, and fertility treatments, stating, “His allies have plans to further attack contraception access, including undermining insurance coverage for birth control and reducing access to condoms and emergency contraception.”
“President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats are committed to restoring the reproductive rights Trump took away,” the document asserts. “With a Democratic Congress, we will pass legislation to make Roe the law of the land again. We will enhance access to contraception and protect access to IVF.”
On women’s rights, it states: “No one should face discrimination based on sex; we must affirm and protect women’s full equality. Democrats will fight to make the Equal Rights Amendment the law.” The party also commits to supporting maternal health policies, investing in women’s health research, ending pay inequity, expanding paid leave, and ensuring affordable child care.
On July 8, Republicans adopted their platform, which lacks most of these commitments.
Under “Republicans Will Protect and Defend a Vote of the People, from within the States, on the Issue of Life,” the GOP celebrates the overturning of Roe, stating: “We proudly stand for families and Life. We believe the 14th Amendment guarantees no person can be denied Life or Liberty without Due Process, and states can pass laws protecting those rights. After 51 years, we have returned this power to the States and the People. We oppose Late Term Abortion, while supporting mothers and policies advancing Prenatal Care, Birth Control access, and IVF.”
Abortion rights opponents frequently invoke the 14th Amendment to argue fetuses are entitled to constitutional protections.
In June, Senate Republicans blocked bills that would guarantee nationwide access to contraception and IVF treatment.
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