Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act

Bill Number

H.R. 4099

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Last Updated

2026-06-24T08:08:45Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation This bill prohibits states from using their laws to block or punish the delivery of abortion services to patients who live in other states, where those services are legal. It also safeguards travel for such services and the movement of related medications across state lines.

Key Provisions

• Prohibitions under color of state law: No state official or entity acting under state authority may prevent, restrict, impede, or retaliate against:
• A licensed health care provider offering abortion services (including medication) to out-of-state patients where legal in the provider's state.
• Assistance to such providers.
• Individuals traveling across state lines to obtain legal abortions.
• Help for those traveling for this purpose.
• Interstate shipment of FDA-approved abortion medications.

• Enforcement: The U.S. Attorney General may file civil lawsuits in federal court for injunctions and declaratory relief. Individuals harmed by violations may also sue for the same remedies plus compensatory damages (including economic losses and emotional distress) and attorney fees.

• Definitions:
• "Abortion service" includes the procedure itself and related health care.
• "Health care provider" covers licensed doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and similar professionals.
• "State" includes all states, D.C., territories, and tribal lands.

• Other clauses: The bill includes a severability provision (if one part is struck down, the rest remains) and a rule preserving the constitutional right to travel.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The legislation creates new federal protections against state interference with interstate abortion access. It does not alter state laws on abortion within their borders but adds enforceable federal limits on how states may apply those laws to non-residents or cross-border activity.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Expands the Department of Justice's role in monitoring and litigating state abortion restrictions that affect out-of-state patients.
• Citizens: Strengthens the ability of individuals to travel for abortion services and receive care from providers in permissive states.
• International relations: Minimal direct effect, though it applies to U.S. territories.
• Broader effects: May limit enforcement of state abortion bans or restrictions against providers serving non-residents or against travel facilitation.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Abortion providers and clinics in states where services remain legal.
• Patients seeking abortions across state lines.
• States with restrictive abortion laws.
• The U.S. Attorney General and federal courts.
• Organizations assisting with travel or medication access.
• Pharmaceutical companies distributing FDA-approved abortion drugs.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill invokes federal authority, likely under the Commerce Clause, to regulate interstate activity and protect the right to travel. It could lead to conflicts with state sovereignty claims and prompt constitutional challenges regarding federal preemption of state laws. The private right of action introduces new litigation pathways. Politically, it addresses post-2022 shifts in abortion regulation by establishing uniform federal safeguards for cross-border access.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Fletcher, Lizzie [D-TX-7]

Cosponsors (145)

Rep. Raskin, Jamie [D-MD-8], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Amo, Gabe [D-RI-1], Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Auchincloss, Jake [D-MA-4], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Casar, Greg [D-TX-35], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Crockett, Jasmine [D-TX-30], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Dexter, Maxine [D-OR-3], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Espaillat, Adriano [D-NY-13], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4], Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Perez, Marie Gluesenkamp [D-WA-3], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. Gomez, Jimmy [D-CA-34], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4] and 95 more

Recent Actions

• 2025-06-24: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-06-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act — issued 2025-06-24 — PDF (5 pages)