Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Gov. Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson released statements today on a Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that allows the Trump administration to go forward with implementing changes to the Title X family planning program.

Today’s decision by a panel of Ninth Circuit judges is not a decision on whether or not President Trump’s gag rule is lawful, or a final decision on the federal government’s appeal of the preliminary injunction.

“This decision threatens to imperil healthcare for millions, including tens of thousands in Washington state. But we’re not done fighting this dangerous and immoral rule,” Inslee said. “We are prepared to take every action necessary to protect women’s access to safe and legal reproductive healthcare. No court and no presidential administration will stop us from ensuring reproductive freedom is preserved in our state.”

“Unless overturned, this flawed decision will hurt Washington women, especially low-income women in rural Washington,” Ferguson said. “We will swiftly challenge this decision. I expect this decision to be reversed.”

Case background is available here.

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The Office of the Attorney General is the chief legal office for the state of Washington with attorneys and staff in 27 divisions across the state providing legal services to roughly 200 state agencies, boards and commissions. Visit www.atg.wa.gov to learn more.

Contacts:

Brionna Aho, Attorney General's Office Communications Director, (360) 753-2727; Brionna.aho@atg.wa.gov

Tara Lee, Governor's Office Deputy Director of Communications, (360) 902-4136, tara.lee@gov.wa.gov

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