Days after Supreme Court Upholds Federal Abortion Ban, North Dakota Governor Signs Dangerous Abortion Ban

Washington, DC—Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called Gov. John Hoeven's (R-ND) decision to sign a statewide abortion ban into law an egregious attack on women's freedom and privacy. The ban would outlaw abortion in North Dakota in nearly all circumstances if the Supreme Court were to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. NARAL Pro-Choice America sent two alerts to its member activists in North Dakota, including one urging the governor to veto this measure. 

The North Dakota ban comes days after the Supreme Court upheld Bush's Federal Abortion Ban, which disregards protections for women's health under Roe v. Wade, and effectively reverses precedent and rolls back key protections that have been guaranteed since Roe v. Wade. 

"Gov. Hoeven wasted no time after the Supreme Court's decision," Keenan said. "Sadly, the Court's recent decision could open the door to additional political interference in women's personal, private medical decisions."

Keenan said that Hoeven's action makes him the latest example of anti-choice politicians who continue to attack safe, legal abortion, while they refuse to support commonsense policies, including better access to birth control, which can prevent unintended pregnancies.

"Gov. Hoeven's actions fall right in line with the hypocrisy of the Bush administration," Keenan said.  "Instead of promoting family planning and honest sex education in schools, which would help prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion, Gov. Hoeven promotes divisive attacks on women's freedom and privacy."

NARAL Pro-Choice America's publication, Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States, gave North Dakota an "F". The state has no pro-choice laws on its books, including those that would help reduce the need for abortion.  This means the state does not even ensure:

• honest, realistic sex education for teens;
• that insurance companies cover birth control just like other prescription medications; or
• that sexual-assault survivors receive emergency contraception in the emergency room. 

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032