TRANSCRIPT: Majority Leader Schumer Delivers Remarks On Republican Attempts To Overturn Women’s Fundamental Rights Under Roe v. Wade

Washington, D.C. –  Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today delivered remarks at an event hosted by the Center for Reproductive Rights on the Republican attempts to overturn women’s fundamental rights under Roe v. Wade. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks:

Thank you, everybody. It's great to be here and I thank everyone for coming out today. And thank you to the Center for Reproductive Rights, our great friends at the National Abortion Access Coalition for organizing. Let's have a round of applause for them.

To my Senate colleagues, particularly Senators Murray and Blumenthal, thank you for coming here and standing on the side of women's rights. And let's give it up for all our health care providers, advocates, patients and families, especially people from New York.

Friends, this is not the first time we've been gathered on these steps to defend abortion rights in this country, but it may be the most important time in 50 years. Inside the walls of this courthouse, the Supreme Court is hearing arguments on a case that represents perhaps the greatest threat to Roe v. Wade that we've seen in a generation; a case that could unravel decades of legal precedent, and reshape women's healthcare in the country as we know it.

From the moment Roe was decided, the far right has fixed their sights on one goal: to overturn Roe and undermine women's fundamental rights to choose. So let me say this. The efforts—the right has packed our courts with extremist judges. They have passed draconian restrictions in states like Texas and Mississippi. But for all their efforts, we are here to say we will not be intimidated. For all their efforts, we are in one voice. Abortion is a fundamental right. We will not let right wing ideologies tell women what to do.

Stand by. As Majority Leader, I will bring the Women's Health Protection Act to the floor of the Senate for a vote. It won't be an easy fight, but we will not back down. Most Americans want to keep Roe v. Wade. Those people are in the minority and we're not going to let them determine women's rights.

Are we going to let Republicans undo women's rights to choose?

Are we going to stay quiet as they try to turn back the clock?

Are we going to give up our waiver when the going gets tough?

No, we're not. We're going to keep working, striving, and fighting to preserve this constitutional right and protect abortion across the country. Thank you. On to victory.