Pressley Joins Rep. Diana DeGette and Succeeds Barbara Lee as Co-Chair of Caucus Formerly Known as Pro-Choice Caucus

In New Role, Pressley Will Continue Longstanding Work to Protect, Restore, Expand Abortion Rights

WASHINGTON – Today, the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus announced Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) will succeed former Congresswoman and Caucus Co-Chair Barbara Lee (CA-12) and join Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) as Co-Chair for the 119th Congress. The Caucus also announced its new name: the Congressional Reproductive Freedom Caucus.

Congresswoman Pressley, who previously served as Chair of the Caucus’ Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, has persistently to protect fundamental reproductive and sexual healthcare rights.

“During my six-year tenure in Congress, I have fought alongside my colleagues in the Pro-Choice Caucus to make reproductive freedom a reality for every single person who calls this country home. As we brace ourselves for a hostile administration and Republican Congress hell-bent on stripping away our fundamental freedoms, I am more resolved than ever to continue this critical work as Co-Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus,” said Rep. Pressley. “It is a deep honor to follow in the footsteps of my friend and mentor Congresswoman Barbara Lee, and to build upon my yearslong partnership and deep appreciation for Congresswoman DeGette as we co-chair this caucus together. I am clear-eyed, and I look forward to working with our members to protect, restore, and expand abortion rights for everyone in America.”

In the two and a half years since Roe v. Wade fell, our constituents across the country have suffered devastating consequences. In the 118^th Congress, the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus heard their calls and fought. We led amici briefs with record-breaking support in the House and Senate and introduced discharge petitions with unprecedented numbers of signatories. Our Members held events in more than half of all U.S. states, visiting health care providers, leading town halls, and bringing people together in their communities to highlight this critical issue.

As we begin the new Congress, we are clear-eyed about the dire threats that lie ahead from the Republican party’s extreme anti-freedom agenda. Once again, we will meet the moment and fight for the people who sent us here. Reflecting the scope of our work and the clear clarion call of our mission, in the 119^th Congress, our Caucus will be named the Reproductive Freedom Caucus.

“The freedom to decide if, when, and how to start a family is one of our most sacred rights as Americans. And the majority of Americans across political backgrounds support reproductive freedom,” said Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All. “Congratulations to the newly named Reproductive Freedom Caucus for their steadfast leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with the caucus in 2025 and beyond to protect abortion access, contraceptive equity, and assisted reproductive technologies like IVF from further attack.” 

As we honor the legacy of our outgoing Co-Chair and fearless reproductive justice champion, Congresswoman Barbara Lee, we have the privilege of welcoming a new Co-Chair to our effort: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.

“Serving alongside Rep. Barbara Lee as co-chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus has been an incredible honor,” said Co-Chair Diana DeGette (CO-01). “Her unwavering leadership to defending reproductive rights, despite relentless attacks, have inspired our movement. As we continue this fight for reproductive freedom, I’m thrilled to welcome Rep. Ayanna Pressley as the Caucus co-chair. Her fierce advocacy and bold vision will strengthen our efforts at this critical moment. Together, we will honor Rep. Lee’s legacy and continue the fight for reproductive freedom for all.”

We have never lost sight of our mission, and we never will. The Pro-Choice Caucus and our Members pursued a robust reproductive freedom agenda in the 118^thCongress—one that would give every person in America the right to make decisions about their own bodies and ensure access to quality reproductive health care. Our movement has never been more critical, and as the Congressional Reproductive Freedom Caucus, we face the 119^th Congress with unyielding determination, together.

“Reproductive freedom has always been central to the work that Reps. Barbara Lee and Diana DeGette led together in the House, and we are thrilled to see this energy and commitment reflected in the caucus’ new name,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.“As the torch passes from Rep. Lee to Rep. Ayanna Pressley — another tireless advocate — the caucus’s unwavering commitment to protecting our reproductive rights remains the same. The dedication and passion of this caucus will continue to be essential in fighting back against anti-abortion lawmakers’ relentless assaults on reproductive rights. Planned Parenthood Federation of America is proud to work alongside the Reproductive Freedom Caucus as we gear up for the critical fights ahead.”

“This is more than a simple name change; it represents a bold and expansive vision to empower every person to make decisions about their bodies, health, and families,” said Dr. Regina Davis Moss, President and CEO of In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, Lupe M. Rodríguez, Executive Director of National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, and Sung Yeon Choimorrow, Executive Director of National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum—the leaders of Intersections of Our Lives. “With the incoming Administration poised to undermine reproductive rights and access, the work of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus is more urgent than ever. The planned formation of a Reproductive Justice Task Force within the Caucus takes this mission further, shifting the focus beyond the legal right to abortion to a frame that improves access to care for all of us. It aims to champion policies that ensure true bodily autonomy and the ability to thrive—especially for women of color, who have not only been the most harmed by attacks on our health and rights but have also led the fight for justice and change at every step.”

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In her personal capacity throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has fought persistently to protect fundamental reproductive and sexual healthcare rights. 

• On the anniversary of the Dobbs decision, Rep. Pressley introduced the Abortion Justice Act, sweeping, intersectional legislation to address access to abortion care and put forth a comprehensive vision of a just America where abortion care is readily available—without stigma, shame or systemic barriers—for all who seek it, regardless of zip code, immigration status, income, or background.
• Rep. Pressley is a lead co-sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), bicameral federal legislation to guarantee equal access to abortion care, everywhere. 
• Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of the EACH Act, bold legislation to repeal the Hyde Amendment and help guarantee abortion coverage—regardless of how a patient gets their health insurance.
• Shortly before the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, Rep. Pressley led a group of her Black women colleagues in writing to President Biden urging him to declare a public health emergency amid the unprecedented threats to abortion rights nationwide. 
• Rep. Pressley condemned the Supreme Court’s leaked draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade., and implored the Senate to protect abortion rights and slammed the white supremacist roots of anti-abortion efforts.
• In October 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on Josseli Barnica, who died on Sept. 3, 2021 after being denied emergency abortion care in Texas as she suffered a miscarriage.
• In September 2024, in a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee Hearing, Rep. Pressley highlighted the harmful and deadly impact of abortion bans in America to date, and outlined in detail the shameful circumstances under which Amber Nicole Thurman died after being denied necessary abortion care in Georgia.
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Idaho v. United States; Moyle v. United States – the case about whether emergency abortion care is included under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). 
• In May 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on a Louisiana bill that would classify medication abortion drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled substances. 
• In April 2024, at a House Oversight Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley played “Fact or Fiction” with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Robert Califf to emphasize the safety and efficacy of medication abortion drug mifepristone.
• In August 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on the Fifth Circuit Court decision in Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine v. FDA.
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, alongside Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Cori Bush (MO-01), and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), reintroduced the Reproductive Health Care Accessibility Act, legislation to help people with disabilities—who face discrimination and extra barriers when seeking care—get better access to reproductive healthcare and the informed care they need to control their own reproductive lives.
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of over-the-counter birth control.
• In May 2023, Rep. Pressley applauded the FDA Advisory Committee’s unanimous, 17-0 vote to recommend the approval of the first-ever application for over-the-counter birth control. She and Senator Murray also held a press conference applauding the decision and urging the FDA to approval over-the-counter birth control without delay.
• In May 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) and Ami Bera, MD (CA-06) and Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), reintroduced their bicameral Affordability is Access Act to ensure that once the FDA determines an over-the-counter birth control option to be safe, insurers fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any fees or out-of-pocket costs.
• In April 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Texas court ruling on mifepristone, and discussed the Texas case in a recent floor speech in which she affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care and access to mifepristone as essential. She later joined Governor Maura Healey, Senator Elizabth Warren (D-MA), and local leaders in announcing action to protect Mifepristone in Massachusetts.
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Reps. Schakowsky, Lee, DeGette, Torres and Strickland, reintroduced the Abortion is Healthcare Everywhere Act harmful and discriminatory Helms Amendment and expand abortion access globally.
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Hirono led their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral congressional resolution honoring abortion providers and clinic staff. 
• In March 2023, Rep. Pressley delivered a speech in which she discussed the pending court case in Texas, which aims to restrict access to medication abortion across the entire nation. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley affirmed medication abortion as routine medical care, and accessibility to the abortion pill mifepristone as essential.
• In September 2021, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning the Supreme Court’s inaction on SB-8, Texas’ restrictive abortion law. Later that month, she participated in a House Oversight Committee hearing to examine the threat posed by abortion bans and underscored the urgency of the Senate passing the Women’s Health Protection Act. 
• In April 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Congresswomen Barbara Lee (CA-13), Diana DeGette (CO-01) and Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), led a group of 131 Democratic members in reintroducing the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act or the EACH Act, which would repeal the Hyde Amendment and ensure that all people, regardless of income, insurance or zip code, can make personal reproductive healthcare decisions without interference from politicians. She re-Introduced the legislation In January 2023.
• Rep. Pressley has led calls in Congress for the FDA to remove medically unnecessary restrictions on the medication abortion drug mifepristone, and applauded the FDA’s action in January 2023 to allow retail pharmacies to dispense abortion medication pills.
• As Chair of the Pro-Choice Caucus’s Abortion Rights and Access Task Force, Congresswoman Pressley has led the fight to repeal the Hyde Amendments from annual Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bills and in July 2020 published a Medium post on the importance of doing so. She applauded the removal of the Hyde Amendment in President Biden’s FY2022 budget.
• In May 2020, she led more than 155 Members of Congress in calling on House Democratic leadership to ensure that any future COVID-19 relief packages rejected Republican efforts to use the public health crisis to diminish abortion access.
• In August 2021, Rep. Pressley, Oversight Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, and Pro-Choice Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Diana DeGette and Barbara Lee led more than 70 of their House Democratic colleagues in introducing a resolution in support of equitable, science-based policies governing access to medication abortion care. 
• In January 2023, Rep. Pressley introduced a resolution to condemn all forms of political violence in the U.S., regardless of its target or intent. That same day, she delivered a powerful speech on the House floor slamming Republicans’ harmful, misleading anti-abortion resolution.
• In September 2022, Rep. Pressley hosted U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra at the Codman Square Health Center in Dorchester for a convening on their work to address the Black maternal health crisis and the criminalization of abortion care in states across the nation following the harmful U.S. Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health. 
• In May 2019, she led more than 100 colleagues in introducing H.Con.Res.40, a resolution reaffirming the House of Representative’s support for Roe v. Wade.
• In June 2019, Rep. Pressley introduced H.R. 3296, the Affordability is Access Act, to make oral contraception available without a prescription. 
• In September 2016, as a member of the Boston City Council, Pressley championed a resolution calling on Congress and President Obama to repeal the Hyde Amendment and reinstate insurance coverage for abortion services.

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