House bill would guarantee abortion access before fetal viability nationwide
In committeeH.R. 12Latest action
Sponsor: Judy Chu · Representative · CA
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Health care
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.
HR 12 would make abortion access a federal right, overriding state laws that restrict it, but has not yet been voted on.
50-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill would create a federal right to abortion before a fetus can survive outside the womb. It would block states from enforcing rules that make abortion harder to get than other similar medical procedures, ban telemedicine for abortion, or limit which providers can perform them. After that point, abortion would still be allowed if a doctor determines the pregnancy threatens the patient's life or health.
Who does it affect?
This bill directly affects anyone who is or could become pregnant, as well as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and clinics that provide abortion services. It also affects state governments that currently have abortion restrictions or bans in place.
Why does it matter?
If passed, this bill would override conflicting state laws, meaning many existing state abortion restrictions could be struck down. Both the federal government and private individuals or doctors could sue in federal court to enforce the law, and the losing side would pay the winner's legal fees.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedJun 24, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Jun 24, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.