On Thursday, June 6, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland and Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer convened the Justice Department’s Reproductive Rights Task Force (RRTF) to discuss ongoing efforts to protect reproductive freedoms under federal law. The RRTF, chaired by Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer, was established in July 2022 following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
“Protecting access to lawful reproductive care is central to the Justice Department’s responsibility to defend the civil rights of everyone in our country,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am grateful to the members of the Justice Department’s Reproductive Rights Task Force for their tireless efforts to ensure those protections. We will continue to vigorously defend the reproductive rights guaranteed to all Americans under federal law.”
“Dobbs dealt a devastating blow to reproductive freedom, and every day we continue to see that decision’s terrible consequences unfold,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Mizer. “We established the Reproductive Rights Task Force to bring a whole-of-department approach to protecting access to reproductive health care following Dobbs. I am deeply proud of the work of the task force, which works tirelessly every day to protect and advance reproductive rights for women in this country.”
During the meeting, Garland and Mizer discussed recent efforts by RRTF members to protect access to reproductive health care. Members briefed them on litigation by the Civil Division and Office of the Solicitor General aimed at defending lawful access to services such as mifepristone abortion medication, ensuring emergency care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, and safeguarding constitutional travel rights.
The RRTF also reviewed legislative support provided by the Office of Legislative Affairs for Congress's efforts in drafting legislation codifying reproductive rights and ongoing enforcement actions under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act by the Civil Rights Division. Since January 2021, 25 cases involving 57 defendants accused of criminal FACE Act violations have been brought forward.
Garland and Mizer expressed gratitude towards RRTF Executive Director Jodie Morse for her leadership and thanked all task force members for their dedication while reaffirming their commitment towards defending reproductive freedoms.