NARAL Pro-Choice America Responds to Letter from Senator Specter

Hon. Arlen Specter
Chairman
U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Washington, DC 20510-6275

Dear Senator Specter:

We sincerely share your hope that the upcoming Senate hearings will be a fair, thorough and serious examination of John Roberts’ legal philosophy and his views on significant constitutional issues. We also regret that many people have misconstrued our recent advertisement about Mr. Roberts’ record.

This week, we began a television advertising campaign aimed at focusing greater public attention on an important aspect of Mr. Roberts’ record. Unfortunately, the debate over that advertisement has become a distraction from the serious discussion we hoped to have with the American public.

Therefore, we are changing from our current advertisement to one that examines Mr. Roberts’ record on several points, including his advocacy for overturning Roe v. Wade, his statement questioning the right to privacy, and his arguments against using a federal civil rights law to protect women and their doctors and nurses from those who use blockades and intimidation.

Like such pro-Roberts groups as Progress for America -- which began a significant advertising campaign within hours of Mr. Roberts’ nomination -- NARAL Pro-Choice America will continue to exercise our constitutional right to make sure the American people have an opportunity to hear all the facts about John Roberts’ records during this process. We play an important role in engaging the American people in this debate about issues that affect their daily lives.

NARAL Pro-Choice America remains opposed to the nomination of John Roberts to the United States Supreme Court. We will continue to educate the public about the threat we firmly believe Mr. Roberts’ elevation to the Supreme Court would have on American women’s reproductive health and, ultimately, their lives. We appreciate your pro-choice voice as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee and look forward to working with you as this process moves forward to protect personal freedom and personal responsibility.

Sincerely,

Nancy Keenan
President

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032