Congresswoman Brown Announces Annette Watts as State of the Union Guest

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) announced today that

Annette Watts, the mother of Brittany Watts, an Ohio woman unjustly arrested and charged with a felony following a miscarriage at her home, will be her guest at the State of the Union next week. Brittany Watts will attend as the guest of Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03). In January, a grand jury in Trumbull County Ohio declined to return an indictment on her case.

Each member of the House of Representatives receives one ticket for a guest to attend the State of the Union in the House Chamber.

“Brittany Watts and her family have shown unbelievable strength. They’ve gone through hell, quite honestly, because of the radical anti-woman ideology that would go so far as to criminalize a miscarriage. But instead of backing down, Brittany and her family have spoken out, because what happened to her can happen to anyone when a radical agenda makes receiving health care a crime. I’m proud to give Annette Watts my guest ticket so she can join her daughter at the State of the Union, and proud to join Congresswoman Beatty in highlighting Brittany Watts, her family, and her story,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

Congresswoman Brown is a cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee access to reproductive care nationwide.

In a 2023 survey, 40% of OBYGNs in impacted states reported constraints on providing health care related to management of miscarriages following the Dobbs decision which overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Reporting from CBS News found that post-Dobbs, hospitals across the country are delaying miscarriage management and related care due to legal concerns. In the United States, Black women are 43% more likely than white women to have a miscarriage.

Congresswoman Brown is Communications Co-Chair for the Democratic Women’s Caucus and a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus.

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