Speak Out Against the Unconstitutional Abortion Ban

“What is morally wrong with women taking responsibility for their own lives? What is morally wrong with women making moral choices about childbearing? And what gives members of Congress or anyone the right to judge them? Just whose moral blind spot have we exposed? Whose conscience counts?

--Behind Every Choice is a Story

On March 12, 2003, the Senate passed a ban on so-called “partial birth” abortion. This legislation would outlaw medically necessary abortion procedures without an exception to protect a woman’s health. The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that abortion bans that contain no exceptions for the health of the mother are unconstitutional. Yet, anti-choice members of the House are poised to pass this bill, and the President has vowed that he will sign it into law. The House is expected to vote on this legislation this week. If we don’t speak out today, the first federal criminal ban on abortion procedures since Roe v. Wade was decided 30 years ago will become law.

Please urge your Representative to oppose the so-called “partial birth” abortion ban.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Oppose the Abortion Ban

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Please vote NO on H.R. 760, the so-called "partial birth" abortion ban. H.R. 760 is unconstitutional, threatens women's health, and must not be passed.

The U.S. Supreme Court already found such legislation to be unconstitutional, yet H.R.760's supporters insist on promoting this bill for the sake of politics and to advance their long-term goal of overturning Roe v. Wade. It is clear that the so-called "partial birth" abortion ban is not designed to help women, as it contains no exception to the ban for when a woman's health is in danger. Nor is H.R. 760 designed to ban only one procedure. It is written in such a way that it would outlaw some of the safest and most common pre-viability abortion procedures.

As one of your constituents, I ask you to protect the rights of women to make private childbearing decisions in consultation with their physicians and their families. Vote NO on H.R. 760.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
June 02, 2003

Background Information

Despite the fact that the Supreme Court struck down legislation that sought to ban so-called “partial birth” abortion just three years ago, anti-choice politicians insist on moving this legislation forward to advance their long-term goal of overturning Roe v. Wade. In all cases, private childbearing decisions should be left to a woman to make in consultation with her physician and her family. With this ban, the government is attempting to play doctor by telling women what medical procedures they are allowed. We must fight any abortion ban that undermines a woman’s ability to make private medical decision and hinders doctors from providing women with the most appropriate care.

Speak out against the unconstitutional abortion ban today.


For medical questions, or to schedule an appointment with the nearest Planned Parenthood center, call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN.