18th District Update

Dear Friend,

I hope you are well.

As many of us expected, the U.S. Supreme Court is set to strike down Roe v. Wade. Seeing the language of their decision brings our challenge into greater focus. To be clear, a person’s bodily autonomy and right to privacy are enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, and I will not stop fighting for those rights.

I am, and will continue to be, a strong advocate for abortion rights. As a member of the State House, I strongly opposed legislation to restrict access to reproductive health care. In the Senate, I continue to fight for reproductive justice, and abortion access. I strongly support Senate Bills 70, 71, 72 and 73  and House Bill 5542–5548, which enshrines a person’s right to an abortion in our state’s laws and repeals the 1931 law that completely outlaws abortion in Michigan.

If Michigan does not pass this legislation, when the Supreme Court strikes down Roe the 1931 law will snap back into effect. Under this law, there’s only one exemption: for abortions that are “to preserve the life” of the woman. But legal experts are concerned because this “exception” is extremely ambiguous, and doctors don’t know how to interpret it.

We need to do everything we can to defend our reproductive rights, and I will continue to be a vocal advocate on this issue. All reproductive health care is essential health care, and in the State Senate, you can count on me to always speak out, and vote against abortion restrictions.

Sincerely,  

Jeff Irwin
State Senator
18th District

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS RALLY ON SATURDAY, MAY 14 at 2 PM

This Saturday, May 14 at 2:00 p.m., there will be a rally in support of reproductive rights at the University of Michigan Diag (913 S. University Ave, Ann Arbor). I hope to see you there!

REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM FOR ALL

Senate Bills 70-73, and House Bills 5542-5548 (the Reproductive Health Act) would establish women’s fundamental right to abortion and access to safe health care. These bills guarantee that individuals are free to make independent decisions about their own reproductive health free from political ideology or influence.

These bills would ensure that people have:

• The right to safe and respectful care during birthing;
• The right to use temporary or permanent birth control;
• The right to contraception;
• The right to continue or end a pregnancy pre-viability; and,
• That no one can be punished for having a miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.

TERM LIMITS AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REFORM

On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, the Michigan House and Senate voted to put House Joint Resolution R on the ballot for this November.

This proposed constitutional amendment would require financial disclosure by candidates for legislative offices and the Governor (as well as the Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State). Michigan is one of a couple of states that have no financial disclosure laws for legislators. Fixing this problem is why I voted ‘yes’ to put this on the ballot. 

The proposal also changes how term limits function in Michigan. This measure would allow candidates to serve in either the House and/or Senate for 12 cumulative years. 

The current term limits are 3 terms (6 years) in the House and 2 terms in the Senate (8 years), for a total of 14 years.  

UPCOMING COFFEE HOUR ON SATURDAY, MAY 14 AT 11 AM  

Please join me at my coffee hour on Saturday, May 14, via Zoom or Facebook Live, from 11 a.m. to noon.   

Please use this form to RSVP to the coffee hour and to receive information and the Zoom access code about how to join the meeting, which you can also watch on my Facebook page. Don’t forget to click “Going” on the Facebook event to get a reminder the day before and the day of.   

If you are unable to access the form or have any problems with the link, please contact my office at (517) 373-2406 or by responding to this email.