busy philipps congress testimony
photo: Getty Images

Busy Philipps recently told her abortion story on her late-night show to raise awareness about the issue amidst bans that are being introduced across the country. 

Brands and celebrities are coming forward in support of reproductive rights. On June 4, Philipps testified before a subcommittee on Capitol Hill and told her story to congress men and women in an attempt to stop the abortion restrictions from continuing.

Her testimony's message was heartfelt and clear: 

"It is my body, not the state's. Women and their doctors are in the best position to make informed decisions about what is best for them. No one else." Philipps said in her testimony. She and other activist women spoke out about the harm restrictions on abortion cause.

"I was beyond proud to testify to the House Judiciary subcommittee today about the recent abortion bans and women's reproductive rights alongside these truly remarkable women who are all doing incredible work on the ground to make sure that women's rights are protected in this country," she wrote in an Instagram post. 

The actor used her platform to provide a real-life example of how these abortion bans would negatively affect women. 

"This was one of the scarier things I have done in my life. But I am willing to use my platform and voice to speak for the overwhelming majority of Americans who believe that abortion care is health care and needs to remain safe & legal & accessible," she wrote to Twitter. 

Philipps was 15 years old when she had her abortion, and she said it was not a decision she made lightly. It was also, however, a decision she was grateful to be able to make and never regretted. 

In May, when the abortion bans were first being introduced, Philipps told her story on her late-night show. 

Philipps started the hashtag "#YouKnowMe" meant to symbolize the one in four women who will have an abortion in their lifetime in the United States. She said in her original statement, "The statistic is one in four women will have an abortion before age 45, and that statistic sometimes surprises people... well, you know me."

"I spoke about my abortion on my show tonight because I can not sit idly by while women’s rights are stripped away," she shared on Twitter.

The mother of two girls is outspoken about other women's health issues as well. 

In the new CBSN Originals documentary Period. Half the population has one. But no one talks about it., Philipps imagined a world in which men had periods and what a different circumstance it would be. 

"If men had their periods, it would be like (redacted) celebrated... it would be like a holiday. They would get the week off of work... and it would just be a different experience." She says in the May 26 documentary. 

Her late-night show was canceled after only a few months, and people were pretty disappointed. 

In this tearful goodbye video, Philipps thanked her audience for watching and gave a heartfelt send off. Some fans of the show thought it was a premature ending, and the network didn't give her show enough of a chance. She retweeted one person who said it was shameful that her show wasn't given enough time, while all of the men of late night are given years to perfect their talk shows. 

Philipps joined a panel of women to talk about abortion rights and why keeping them intact is crucial for women. 

"Today happened to be the 100th anniversary of Congress passing the 19th amendment, which gave many women the right to vote," she shared on Instagram. "Today also happened to be the day your girl went to the Capitol to speak out about the attack on abortion rights in this country. Feels like a thing, kind of. Thank you to all of the incredible representatives who took time out of their schedules to meet me and my family and who are keeping abortion rights a priority."

She was joined by one of her daughters who she mentioned in her testimony. 

"Abortion is health care and should not be treated as different from any other health care. I am so sad that we have to sit here in front of a row of politicians, and give deeply personal statements. Because, the why doesn't matter. It should not matter," Philipps said in her testimony. 

She was joined by her oldest daughter Birdie on her trip to Capitol Hill. "Finally, I am here today, for my two little girls Birdie and Cricket. My dream for them is that they will live in a world in which women are truly equal with complete control over their own reproductive health. That is the dream I hold for all people regardless of their privilege or parents or what state they live in," the actor and activist said in her testimony.