March 10, 2025

Duckworth Joins Hirono, Peters, Pressley in Introducing Resolution to Recognize Abortion Providers

Bicameral resolution honors abortion providers and clinic staff by designating March 10, 2025 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day”

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07) in reintroducing a bicameral resolution honoring abortion providers and staff by designating March 10, 2025 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.” The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution affirms that abortion providers are valued as they provide reproductive care despite pressures, restrictions, political interference and threats to their personal safety. It also highlights the essential role that these providers play in providing safe access to reproductive care, including abortions. The introduction of this resolution follows a 2022 report by the National Abortion Federation, which shows a rise in major incidents like stalking and death threats directed at patients, abortion care providers and volunteers.

“As red states neighboring Illinois continue to ban abortion in the years after the Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision, the care that our state’s abortion providers deliver is as important as ever,” said Senator Duckworth. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this resolution to recognize the courage of abortion providers, who continue to deliver critical reproductive care to their patients, despite escalating threats to their work, workplaces and personal safety. I won’t stop working to enshrine Roe v. Wade protections into law—safeguarding reproductive freedom and ensuring all medical professionals can provide life-saving care without fear of criminalization.”

“As we commemorate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, we honor the bravery of these health professionals who provide crucial care to thousands of people across the country every day,” said Senator Hirono. “I’m proud to reintroduce this resolution in recognition of these essential health care providers, who continue to help their patients even in the face of violence, threats, and intimidation. Today, we also reaffirm our commitment in the fight to protect and secure reproductive rights for all.”

“Abortion providers deliver essential, lifesaving health care to patients in need all across this country,” said Senator Peters. “Particularly since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, these medical professionals have faced threats and personal attacks but continue to make sure Americans can receive reproductive health care. I’m honored to once again lead this resolution with Senator Hirono to recognize their courage and dedication.”

“With Trump and Republicans inciting violence and harassment at abortion clinics, the dedicated work of abortion providers is all the more essential in our fight to protect and advance reproductive justice. There is no just world in which abortion care providers should have to fear for their own lives and the lives of their patients,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “We are grateful for providers’ labor and perseverance to deliver for those seeking critical health care. I am grateful to Senator Hirono for her partnership and leadership and I am proud to reintroduce this resolution to designate “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” to honor the commitment of abortion care providers and affirm the dignity, safety, and appreciation they so deserve.”

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution demonstrates a commitment to abortion providers and staff by:

  1. Recognizing March 10, 2025 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” to celebrate the courage of abortion providers and the high-quality care they provide to patients and families across the country;
  2. Lauding communities who proudly support their abortion providers and staff;
  3. Affirming the commitment of Congress to ensuring the safety of these health professionals, their ability to continue providing the essential reproductive care their patients need and the right of patients to access abortion care regardless of where they live, free from violence and threats;
  4. Condemning the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States to limit abortion care, which had a devastating impact on abortion providers and the communities they care for, threatening their livelihoods; and
  5. Declaring a vision for a future liberated from all abortion restrictions and bans, and affirming the commitment of Congress to working toward this future with providers, patients, advocates and their communities.

In addition to Duckworth, Hirono and Peters, the resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In addition to Congresswoman Pressley, the resolution is cosponsored in the House by U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07) and Nikema Williams (D-GA-05).

The full text of the resolution can be found on Senator Duckworth’s website.

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