**Kuster will host reproductive health care advocate Michelle Cilley Foisy at State of the Union**

Concord, N.H. — Today, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that Michelle Cilley Foisy, a dedicated reproductive freedom advocate, will attend the State of the Union as her guest on March 7, 2024. Congresswoman Kuster and Michelle Cilley Foisy will emphasize the importance of personal and reproductive freedom amid escalating, extreme right-wing attacks on access to abortion, gender-affirming care, and more. 

“The ongoing, extreme right-wing assault on personal freedom and reproductive health care — including in our home state of New Hampshire — threatens the well-being of women and families across our country,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “We must uplift the stories of those impacted by these extreme attacks on our bodily autonomy. I am honored to announce Michelle Cilley Foisy as my guest for the President’s State of the Union address. Michelle’s advocacy and courage are inspirational, and her story reflects those of thousands of women and families nationwide.”

“In the midst of growing political attacks on abortion rights and gender-affirming healthcare, Representative Annie Kuster stands out as a champion who has been fighting for individuals’ rights to make their own private and personal health care decisions without political interference,” said Michelle Cilley Foisy. “New Hampshire is, unfortunately, the only state in New England without any constitutional protections for abortion rights. When extreme New Hampshire lawmakers imposed the state’s first abortion ban in modern history in 2021, I couldn’t sit by and do nothing. I got involved because abortion bans have direct impacts on families like mine, who later in pregnancy have found out that something is tragically wrong. And now, further attacks in the New Hampshire State House and across the nation on gender-affirming care could have devastating impacts on teens like my own. Throughout my journey, championing the fundamental right to bodily autonomy for all individuals, I've encountered remarkable leaders like Congresswoman Kuster. Her unwavering commitment to her constituents, coupled with her genuine willingness to listen to our stories, has left an indelible impression. I am deeply honored that Representative Kuster has invited me here today to share my story.”

Congresswoman Kuster is a fierce advocate for personal freedom and expanding access to reproductive health care. Since Roe v. Wade was overturned, Kuster has championed legislation to expand access to reproductive health care and bodily autonomy, including:

• The Women’s Health Protection Act, which would establish a constitutional right to abortion;
• The Right to Contraception Act, which would take proactive steps to protect access to contraception across the country;
• The Access to Family Building Act, which would codify an individual’s right to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), including IVF; and
• Voting against House Republicans’ Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, which would bar transgender women and girls from competing in female school athletics.

Michelle Cilley Foisy is a champion for reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy. Michelle was 22 weeks pregnant when she and her husband learned that their unborn child, Kayla, had fatal fetal anomalies and would not survive outside of the womb. Michelle and her husband made the painful choice to terminate the pregnancy when they were informed of their daughter’s condition. Michelle began sharing her story in the wake of New Hampshire passing a 24-week abortion ban, which initially did not include exceptions for fatal fetal diagnoses and the life of the pregnant person. She is also critical of the New Hampshire state legislature’s attempts to restrict trans youth participation in school sports.

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