I’m writing this note after staying up all night fighting to protect a woman’s right to control her own body.

The debate is still going, and I’m here for it no matter how long it takes.

This summer, the US Supreme Court is set to rule on Dobbs v Jackson Woman’s Health Organization. The 6-3 conservative majority on the court, which includes a seat stolen by Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) when he refused to act on President Obama’s nominee in 2016, is very likely to strike down Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 case that established a woman’s right to abortion care.

This year, 561 abortion restriction bills have been introduced in all but three states. 19 states have already enacted 106 restrictions, including 12 abortion bans.

But not Colorado.

That’s why we introduced House Bill 1279, which codifies contraception and abortion protections in Colorado state law and prohibits local governments from enacting abortion restrictions if Roe is struck down.

On Wednesday night, I sat on the Health and Insurance Committee from 1:30pm until 3:40am as we heard hours of witness testimony for and against the bill. I voted yes, and the bill passed on a party line vote.

On Friday morning at 10:53am, we started the 2nd reading debate on the House floor. I told Kyra not to expect me home before she went to bed that night, but I didn’t expect that I wouldn’t be there when she woke up this morning.

It’s no secret there are deeply held views on both sides of this issue, and I don’t blame my colleagues across the aisle for fighting for what they believe in.

But the Colorado House Democrats have deeply held beliefs, too. We believe that what happens in a woman’s body is her business and nobody else’s. We don’t believe the government should dictate when a woman must carry a pregnancy to term versus seeking an abortion. We believe abortion should be safe, legal, and accessible. We believe contraception should be universally available and affordable. And we believe in woman’s fundament right to choose.

I’m not sure how much longer this debate will carry on, but I know what the result will be. The voters of Colorado have elected Democratic majorities in both House and Senate, and this is an example of why majorities matter.

When the vote is finally called, we will pass this bill and make sure Colorado law reflects a woman’s fundamental right to control her own body.

And then, we will sleep.
Chris