In January 2005, NARAL Pro-Choice America challenged President Bush to use his second term in office to unite the country by abandoning his divisive attacks on safe, legal abortion and devoting his efforts instead to commonsense prevention measures that reduce the need for abortion.  Now that Congress has changed hands, we look to our new leaders to end these attacks on a woman's right to choose and unify the country behind policies that the public supports.  Urge your members of Congress to support the following common-ground policies.

Prevention First Act
This bill would help women prevent unintended pregnancy – which would reduce the need for abortion - by increasing funds for family-planning services, assuring contraceptive equity in health-insurance plans, and improving women's access to emergency contraception.  Click here to read more about the Prevention First Act.  Urge your members of Congress to support this bill.

Freedom of Choice Act ("FOCA")
Following the Supreme Court's closely divided and bitter decision upholding the Federal Abortion Ban, it is clear that the right to choose is facing a new level of assault.  The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) – a measure that will codify Roe v. Wade and guarantee the right to choose for future generations of women.  Click here to read more about the Freedom of Choice Act.  Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor FOCA.

Responsible Education About Life Act ("REAL")
This bill would establish the first-ever federal sex-education program for young people.  There are three separate federal "abstinence-only" programs that by law must forbid discussion of contraception's benefits in preventing pregnancy – yet there is no similar program for honest sex education that teaches about both abstinence and birth control.  Urge your members of Congress to support this bill.

Access to Birth Control Act ("ABC")
Women across America encounter rogue pharmacists who refuse to fill their birth-control prescriptions or provide emergency contraception even though the medication is in stock. Some pharmacists even go so far as to lecture women, humiliate them in public, or refuse to hand back the prescription after they refuse to fill it.  This bill would ensure that women have timely access to birth control, including emergency contraception, at the pharmacy counter.  This legislation is bipartisan and has overwhelming public support.  Click here to urge your members of Congress to cosponsor ABC.

Compassionate Assistance for Rape Emergencies Act ("CARE")
This bill would ensure that survivors of sexual assault are offered emergency contraception in the emergency room.  Each year, approximately 25,000 women in the United States become pregnant as a result of rape.  Urge your members of Congress to stand up for rape survivors by supporting this bill.

Equity in Prescription Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act ("EPICC")
Shockingly, some health-insurance plans that cover prescription drugs refuse to cover prescription contraception. Consequently, women have to pay out-of-pocket for services that should be covered by insurance, and some women can't afford to pay full price. EPICC would ensure that prescription birth control is covered equally with other prescription drugs.  It's been awaiting congressional action for nine years and has bipartisan support.  Twenty-six states have enacted similar laws, as has Congress for federal employees.  Click here to urge your members of Congress to cosponsor EPICC.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Responsibility, and Opportunity Act
America has the highest teen-pregnancy rate of any developed Western country.  This bill would help tackle this problem by educating teens about their risk of pregnancy, teaching them about the significant responsibilities that come with parenthood, keeping them on track in school, and helping parents discuss tough topics – like sex – with their kids. Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor this bill.

Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act
The number of military women who suffer sexual assault is outrageous.  Yet emergency contraception (birth control that can prevent pregnancy after sex or sexual assault) is not automatically available to servicewomen at overseas bases.  This legislation would ensure that military health-care facilities stock emergency contraception and make it available to servicewomen and military dependents upon request.  Click here to urge your members of Congress to cosponsor this bill.

Click here to learn more about these pro-choice bills.