The Obama Administration

After eight years of President Bush's divisive anti-choice policies, we finally have a pro-choice president! President Obama and the U.S. Congress will have to work hard to undo the damage done by the Bush administration and advance proactive pro-choice proposals.

• Take Action: Support President Obama's nominees.

Congress

Congress has the ability to create laws, allocate funds to choice-related programs, and in the case of the U.S. Senate, approve nominees for federal courts and other key administrative posts. While we made many gains in the 2008 elections, and the House has pro-choice leadership, we do not have a pro-choice majority in Congress.

• Choice composition of the 111th Congress
• Are your senators pro-choice?
• Pro-choice bills in Congress

Recent Activity

• Health-care reform
• Washington, D.C. abortion ban

Federal Courts

The federal judiciary system is composed of the U.S. Supreme Court and lower federal courts. Americans who value freedom and privacy must remain committed to protecting the independence and objectivity of our courts.

The U.S. Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is the nation's most powerful court. Although it only hears a fraction of the cases brought in federal and state courts, its decisions set precedent for every court in the nation.

In 1973, the Supreme Court guaranteed a woman's right to choose legal abortion with its landmark decision Roe v. Wade.

The Federal Court System
Most cases affecting reproductive rights are brought in federal courts. The federal court system encompasses three layers of courts with ascending authority - trial courts, federal district courts, and federal circuit courts. Cases that begin in lower federal courts can be appealed upwards, ultimately to the U.S. Supreme Court.