Miers Continues To Create Confusion Regarding Her Views on Privacy and Freedom

Washington, DC – NARAL Pro-Choice America calls on Harriet Miers to clarify her position on the two definitive Supreme Court cases defining a right to birth control. The organization also asks if an unsigned questionnaire from 1989 for Texans United for Life represents her views on a woman's right to choose then or now.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the public shouldn't forget that Miers could replace Sandra Day O'Connor, a critical swing vote who protected women's reproductive freedom. Keenan said Miers and the Bush White House have given contradictory explanations of her views, especially on issues related to privacy and Roe v. Wade.

"Americans have heard and read conflicting reports on Harriet Miers’ views on birth control and a woman’s right to choose. Yesterday, there was confusion over whether she told the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee she supported the decisions in the Griswold and Eisenstadt cases, which affirmed a constitutional right to birth control. In recent days, some of her friends have given assurances that she would serve as a reliable vote to overturn Roe v. Wade. Miers then said she hadn’t discussed her views on Roe v. Wade. Now, an unsigned questionnaire from her days as a political candidate has surfaced that appears to show she supported a wide range of anti-choice policies. Harriet Miers’ inconsistency and evasiveness continue to generate confusion and concern. Miers must give direct answers on these critical questions as she pursues a lifetime appointment on the Supreme Court," said Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America. 

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032