The Planned Parenthood Action Fund has endorsed U.S. Rep. Donald Payne, Jr. (D-10) for re-election, indicating he has a strong record of supporting equal access to essential health services.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Congressman Payne has demonstrated strong support for sexual and reproductive health and rights, and we feel confident that he will continue to be a dedicated advocate for Planned Parenthood health centers and the people they serve,” Planned Parenthood Action Fund President Alexis McGill Johnson said in a statement.
“Now more than ever, we need allies in Washington who will fight for reproductive freedom, and we know that Congressman Payne will always be that champion.”
Payne was a strong supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, legislation that would make abortion legal and accessible to all women nationwide.
The bill narrowly passed the House with every Republican voting in opposition and is expected to be voted on in the Senate soon.
Payne has also fought to ensure that womens’ health care decisions are made by them in consultation with their doctors, speaking at a Planned Parenthood roundtable opposing the President Donald Trump (R) administration’s Title X gag rule.
“No one other than a woman should be able to make decisions when it comes to their health care and their bodies, and that’s exactly why I voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act – groundbreaking, much-needed legislation that passed the House and that the Senate must step up and pass now,” Payne said in a statement.
“It’s an honor to earn the support of Planned Parenthood Action Fund as a recognition of my staunch opposition to Republican attempts to take away womens’ hard earned rights. Now more than ever, we need to stand together on this critical issue and I thank Planned Parenthood Action Fund for their trust in my leadership.”
Payne has recently received endorsements from U.S. Senators Cory Booker and Bob Menendez (both D-NJ), as well as the New Jersey Education Association, the New Jersey chapter of the Communication Workers of America, and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
The primary election is on June 7th, where Payne has declared challengers in Imani Oakley and Akil Khalfani.
