HAPPENING NOW: Former Mayor Pete Buttigieg is moments from hosting an intimate “fireside chat” with Planned Parenthood representatives in an affluent Henderson neighborhood. 
Buttigieg is here, and we’re cycling through speakers in advance of the “chat” with the Presidential Candidate.
Buttigieg begins by thanking a woman who just told the room she’d had an abortion in college for having the strength to share her story in public.
He continues by saying that a woman’s reproductive health is protected.
He says right now it’s under attack:
“I’m from Indiana, I’ve seen it up close.”
He says he will take executive action in office to support women’s rights.
He says right now it’s under attack:
“I’m from Indiana, I’ve seen it up close.”
He says he will take executive action in office to support women’s rights.
He calls it an attack on equality and access.
He says the appointment of conservative justices and judges by the Trump administration is a big threat to women’s reproductive rights as well, and promises to appoint choice friendly judges.
He says the appointment of conservative justices and judges by the Trump administration is a big threat to women’s reproductive rights as well, and promises to appoint choice friendly judges.
“It will not be easy to defeat this president. We’re fooling ourselves if we think it will be easy,” he says of President Trump.
Buttigieg says he can defeat Trump on his own terms.
Buttigieg says he can defeat Trump on his own terms.
A woman asks Buttigieg what he would do to break down barriers to reproductive health services (abortion) like long travel distances, wait times, etc.
He says efforts to defund and close clinics are the key problem, and needs to be addressed.
He says efforts to defund and close clinics are the key problem, and needs to be addressed.
Another crowd member now asks about greater access to “gender affirming” healthcare, and his support of the LGBT community.
She wasn’t a to know what he’d do in his first 100 days to increase health access for that community
Answer:
She wasn’t a to know what he’d do in his first 100 days to increase health access for that community
Answer:
He says he will sign a federal equality act bill in the first 100 days if it gets to his desk.
That, of course, would have to pass Congress first.
He also says he would take executive action to better support trans soldiers who were banned from military service under Trump.
That, of course, would have to pass Congress first.
He also says he would take executive action to better support trans soldiers who were banned from military service under Trump.
A DACA recipient is now asking about health access for immigrants regardless of immigration status.
She wants to know his border plan, and what he plans to do about reproductive health for undocumented immigrants.
She wants to know his border plan, and what he plans to do about reproductive health for undocumented immigrants.
Buttigieg says he would open the public healthcare exchanges to undocumented immigrants, and go forward in wholesale immigration reform to give immigrants a better pathway to US Citizenship.
A mother wants to know when Buttigieg plans to reverse federal abortion restrictions (Title X) because she’s worried about her daughters reproductive health.
He says ASAP, though he knows legislative work will take time.
He says ASAP, though he knows legislative work will take time.
One crowd member asks about early access to harm reduction programs like needle exchanges, sex Ed, and condom distribution.
He responds by talking about working with localities on their specific issues, avoiding the idea of federal action on these types of programs.
He responds by talking about working with localities on their specific issues, avoiding the idea of federal action on these types of programs.
Buttigieg says it’s important to use evidence based practices based on science and statistics, and having a president that makes those things a priority.
Another crowd member asks about access to leave from work for women who elect to have abortions or suffer miscarriages.
He says those events can cause job loss, and “medically necessary” leave needs to be addressed for federal and private sector workers.
He says those events can cause job loss, and “medically necessary” leave needs to be addressed for federal and private sector workers.
