FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2016
[email protected]
Following Pramila Jayapal’s victory in the race for Washington’s 7th Congressional District, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue and NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Executive Director Rachel Berkson issued the following statements:
“NARAL is proud to congratulate Pramila Jayapal on her win tonight and celebrates her historic victory as the first Indian American woman to be elected to Congress,” said Ilyse Hogue, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. “Pramila put our reproductive freedom at forefront of her agenda in the Washington State House, pushing to expand access to contraception and ensure pregnant workers are treated fairly. She has always looked out for women and our families. Voters rewarded her for that tonight. Pramila has the grit and experience to be the leader we need in Washington, and we know she’ll continue to be a champion for women and families in Congress. Congratulations to Congresswoman-elect Pramila Jayapal!”
“We are so excited to see Washington State send a true champion for reproductive freedom to Congress to fight for us,” said Rachel Berkson, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Washington. “Here in Washington, Pramila has been a tireless advocate for paid sick leave, expanding access to contraception, and ensuring fair treatment for pregnant workers. We know she’ll bring that same relentless focus on reproductive freedom and economic justice to the other Washington, and we can’t wait to see what she’ll accomplish.”
NARAL endorsed Pramila Jayapal in the primary and stood with her throughout her campaign. Pramila is a steadfast champion for women and families and has spent her career fighting against attacks on our reproductive freedom. She’s led efforts to provide low-income women with accessible, long-acting contraception, sponsored legislation to ensure pregnant women receive reasonable accommodations in the workplace, and fought tirelessly against a proposed abortion ban.
To see how NARAL Pro-Choice America has fought for reproductive freedom over the last year, watch here.
NARAL Pro-Choice America and its network of state affiliates are dedicated to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom for all Americans. NARAL works to guarantee that every woman has the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices, including preventing unintended pregnancy, bearing healthy children, and choosing legal abortion. In recognition of its work defending our constitutional right to choose, Fortune Magazine described NARAL as “one of the top 10 advocacy groups in America.”
###