Speak Out Against the Re-Nomination of Judge Priscilla Owen

Last September, Planned Parenthood helped defeat President Bush’s nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. In voting her nomination down, Senators cited concerns over her questionable history with reproductive rights. Justice Owen’s troubling record remains unchanged, yet President Bush has re-nominated her. We cannot allow President Bush to pack the courts with judges who have not affirmed a commitment to safeguarding the constitutional right to reproductive freedom. The full Senate has begun the debate on the Owen nomination and a vote could happen at any time. We need your help. Let’s stop the Owen nomination today!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose the Re-Nomination of Priscilla Owen to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I urge you to oppose the confirmation of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Because lower federal courts exercise enormous power in deciding cases involving reproductive freedom, the right to privacy, and other basic civil rights, it is essential that judges appointed to these courts demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding these fundamental rights. Justice Owen has not done so. The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected her nomination last year because of her troubling record on civil rights issues, including a woman's right to choose. Her record remains unchanged, yet she was re-nominated.

During Owen's tenure on the Texas Supreme Court she wrote several opinions that demonstrate an insensitivity--and perhaps hostility--to the plight of a young woman who feels she cannot involve a parent in her decision to have an abortion. Had her view prevailed, she would have created a virtual roadblock for young women seeking access to abortion without parental consent. Her opinions were so extreme that even President Bush's White House Counsel, who was also a Texas Supreme Court Justice at the time of Owen's opinions, called her views an "unconscionable act of judicial activism."

I implore you to block the confirmation of Justice Owen by any means necessary. She has demonstrated her intention to limit young women's fundamental right to privacy. She poses a threat to reproductive freedom and therefore, her nomination must be rejected again.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 09, 2003

Background Information

Since taking office, President Bush has nominated numerous judges to the federal judiciary – like Justice Owen – who have not demonstrated that they support a constitutional right to choose. Because lower federal courts exercise enormous power in deciding cases involving women's rights, the right to privacy, reproductive freedoms, and other basic civil rights, it is essential that judges appointed to these courts demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding these fundamental rights.

During Justice Owen’s tenure on the Texas Supreme Court, she has written several opinions that demonstrate insensitivity to the plight of young women who feel they cannot involve a parent in their decision to have an abortion. Her opinions were so extreme that even President Bush's White House Counsel, who was also a Texas Supreme Court Justice at the time of Owen's opinions, called her views an "unconscionable act of judicial activism."

Justice Owen’s nomination presents a clear and present danger to reproductive rights. Urge your Senators to reject Priscilla Owen’s re-nomination today.


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