Appeals Courts' Rulings Mark Second, Third Victory for Women's Health Protections

Washington, DC- Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called two appellate courts' decisions declaring unconstitutional a federal abortion ban supported by President Bush a victory for Americans who oppose allowing politicians to interfere in personal health decisions.

In separate rulings, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Second Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the Federal Abortion Ban. In 2005, the Eight Circuit Court of Appeals also struck down the same law.

In response to today's rulings, Keenan issued the following statement:

"Three federal appeals courts now have ruled that the Bush-backed Federal Abortion Ban is unconstitutional. This is a defeat for President Bush and his anti-choice allies who aggressively pushed this law, which would jeopardize women's health and effectively ban abortion as early as 12 weeks. The courts have affirmed that women and doctors should be able to make private medical decisions without interference from politicians.

"Today's rulings indicate that Americans who value freedom and privacy still can count on the federal courts to block politically motivated assaults on women's freedom. However, the Supreme Court could yet take up these rulings, which come on the same day the Senate confirmed Samuel Alito as the replacement for retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Justice O'Connor cast the decisive vote when the Supreme Court struck down a nearly identical law nearly six years ago. We cannot count on Justice Alito to vote similarly. Our hope is that the Supreme Court declines to take up this issue and lets the three appellate court decisions in favor of protecting women's health stand."

Click here for more information about the Federal Abortion Ban litigation.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032