U.S. Conference of Mayors Approves Resolution Supporting Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood

June 18, 2012 — The nonpartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors on Saturday passed a resolution that supports women's reproductive rights and funding for Planned Parenthood, the Huffington Post reports.

The resolution "affirms the importance of women's reproductive rights" and "urges Congress and the states to pursue a positive agenda that reaffirms fundamental rights and improves women's access to safe and comprehensive reproductive-health care," according to the Huffington Post.

The lead sponsors of the resolution include the mayors of Hartford, Conn.; Los Angeles; New York City; San Francisco; Seattle; and Portland, Ore., according to the Huffington Post.

The mayors promised to fight back against state and federal attempts to restrict women's access to abortion and family planning services, and speak out on behalf of women.

"When it comes to reproductive health decisions, nobody knows better than an individual woman what is best for herself and her family," New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said (Bassett, Huffington Post, 6/17).

In a press release, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keenan said she was "inspired" by the mayors.

"In a political climate with so much hostility toward women's freedom and privacy, I am thrilled to see more leaders respecting a woman's ability to make her own decisions regarding her health and privacy," Keenan said. She added, "These mayors collectively represent millions of Americans in communities where the public-health programs and clinics under attack by members of Congress and state legislators provide basic care for their residents" (NARAL Pro-Choice America release, 6/17).