VIDEO: Murray, Schrier Discuss Stakes of November Election for Reproductive Rights at Issaquah Town Hall

News | October 11, 2022


PHOTOS: Murray, Schrier discuss what’s at stake for women’s right to choose in WA election

***WATCH the Town Hall HERE***

(Seattle, WA) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Dr. Kim Schrier (WA-08) held a Reproductive Rights Town Hall at the Train Depot in Issaquah, the first event in Senator Murray’s newly-announced Patty for WA Campaign Tour of town halls and Get Out The Vote events with voters and supporters to discuss key issues at stake in the November general election. 

“This is not a normal midterm election,” said Senator Murray. “Right here in America, a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions has been ripped away. We have seen cruel abortion bans all over the country — forcing women to stay pregnant, no matter their circumstances. My opponent is someone who cheered the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, endorsed the Texas abortion ban, one of the most extreme in the country, and expressed support for a national abortion ban before she announced her campaign. Bottom line: she wants politicians to be able to make women’s health care decisions for them. That’s extreme, and it’s wrong for our state.”

“If you send me back to the Senate with enough pro-choice votes,” Murray continued. “I guarantee the first thing we will do is pass the Women’s Health Protection Act to once again make Roe v. Wade law of the land and protect a woman’s right to choose.”

“I’m the only pro-choice woman doctor in Congress and the only candidate in this race who will protect a woman’s right to choose,” said Dr. Kim Schrier. “While millions of women across the country live in fear for their lives, my opponent Matt Larkin celebrated the end of Roe v. Wade and supports a national ban on abortion that would affect women right here in Washington State, with no exceptions for rape and incest. His views are dangerous and out of step with the people of this district. As your Congresswoman I won’t stand for extremist politicians making your healthcare decisions.” 

Senator Murray and Dr. Schrier are both running against anti-choice extremists in the November general election. Their opponents, Tiffany Smiley and Matt Larkin, have campaigned together on multiple occasions; Smiley and Larkin both celebrated the overturning of Roe

Matt Larkin opposes abortion even in cases of rape or incest and has suggested he would vote for a nationwide abortion ban if elected, saying “I can see a strong conservative Congress putting forward that vote to ban it nationally.” Tiffany Smiley — who is, in her own words, “100 percent pro-life” has previously expressed support for a federal abortion ban and strongly supports allowing state politicians to pass extreme abortion bans; recently, Smiley’s campaign reiterated her “respect” for the extreme Texas abortion ban, which she endorsed early on in her campaign.  

Senator Murray has led the fight to protect reproductive rights her entire career, which is why the Washington Post called Murray, “the single most effective Democratic combatant against Republican attempts to restrict abortion and otherwise roll back reproductive health-care rights on Capitol Hill.”  Dr. Kim Schrier is the only pro-choice woman doctor serving in Congress.

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