Senate Leader Atkins Moderates Discussion on Reproductive Access with Vice President

SACRAMENTO –  As California continues to safeguard protections for abortion access following the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) moderated a roundtable discussion on reproductive rights with Vice President Kamala Harris and other California leaders today in San Francisco.

The event included remarks from Vice President Harris, Pro Tem Atkins, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, Attorney General Rob Bonta, CEO of Planned Parenthood Northern California Gilda Gonzales, and Shannon Hovis, Director of NARAL Pro-Choice California. Members of the California State Legislature and reproductive health care organization leaders also were present and had an opportunity to update the Vice President on work underway in California.

“I feel deeply for women whose options are shrinking and for those who are desperately confused by the patchwork of laws that differ greatly based on where you live. Patchwork is fine for a quilt, but not for a social fabric that depends on our rights being recognized across state lines,” Pro Tem Atkins said during her opening statement. “In California, there is no confusion. Abortion is legal and safe here.”

To view remarks from Vice President Harris, Pro Tem Atkins, and other participants, click here.

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Toni G. Atkins is President pro Tempore of the California Senate. Having previously served as Speaker of the California Assembly, she began her tenure in the Senate in 2016. As Senator for District 39, she represents the cities of San Diego, Coronado, Del Mar and Solana Beach. Website of President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins: www.senate.ca.gov/Atkins