Responses to the Federal Abortion Ban Ruling

Washington, DC – Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling upholding the federal abortion ban:

“Today's decision by the Supreme Court takes away a right that has previously been affirmed by the Court. A woman's decision about her own reproductive health is a very personal and difficult one that should remain hers to be made with her doctor. This latest decision by the Court stands in stark contradiction to previous rulings recognizing the complexity of women's medical conditions and replaces the judgment of doctors, women and their families for the judgment of five Supreme Court Justices. Regardless of political affiliation, we can all agree that reducing the number of abortions is a priority. Democrats are committed to finding common ground on this issue and focusing on legislative measures to increase education, prevention and support systems to help reduce the number of abortions each year in the

United States

.”

Martinez Praises Supreme Court Decision to Uphold Partial-Birth Abortion Ban

WASHINGTON – RNC General Chair Mel Martinez today issued the following statement following the United States Supreme Court decision affirming the ban on "partial birth" abortion.

“I applaud the Court’s decision to uphold the ban on partial birth abortion. When lawmakers decided to end this appalling procedure it spoke highly of society’s core values to protect the sanctity of life.”

Washington, DC -- "This decision marks a dramatic departure from four decades of Supreme Court rulings that upheld a woman's right to choose and recognized the importance of women's health. Today's decision blatantly defies the Court's recent decision in 2000 striking down a state partial-birth abortion law because of its failure to provide an exception for the health of the mother. As the Supreme Court recognized in Roe v. Wade in 1973, this issue is complex and highly personal; the rights and lives of women must be taken into account. It is precisely this erosion of our constitutional rights that I warned against when I opposed the nominations of Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito."

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Senator John Edwards released the following statement about today's 5-4 Supreme Court ruling upholding the federal abortion ban.

"I could not disagree more strongly with today's Supreme Court decision. The ban upheld by the Court is an ill-considered and sweeping prohibition that does not even take account for serious threats to the health of individual women. This hard right turn is a stark reminder of why Democrats cannot afford to lose the 2008 election. Too much is at stake - starting with, as the Court made all too clear today, a woman's right to choose."

Chicago, IL- Senator Barack Obama today made the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding abortion.

“I strongly disagree with today’s Supreme Court ruling, which dramatically departs from previous precedents safeguarding the health of pregnant women. As Justice Ginsburg emphasized in her dissenting opinion, this ruling signals an alarming willingness on the part of the conservative majority to disregard its prior rulings respecting a woman’s medical concerns and the very personal decisions between a doctor and patient. I am extremely concerned that this ruling will embolden state legislatures to enact further measures to restrict a woman's right to choose, and that the conservative Supreme Court justices will look for other opportunities to erode Roe v. Wade, which is established federal law and a matter of equal rights for women.”

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Calls Supreme Court Decision on Abortion Ban a “Dangerous Step Backward"

SANTA FE, NM- New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s today joined with Americans across the country in criticizing the US Supreme Court decision in the Federal Abortion Ban cases.

“Today the Supreme Court took a dangerous step backward in regard to Americans’ rights to personal choice and privacy,” said Governor Richardson. “In doing so, the Court disregarded the opinion of experienced and respected medical professionals who oppose the ban because there are no exceptions protecting women’s health. While not unexpected, I believe this unfortunate decision is a clear signal that the Supreme Court is opening the door to further challenges to personal medical decisions between patients and doctors that should not involve the government.”

Governor Richardson has consistently opposed any attempt to limit women’s reproductive rights, and as a Congressman voted against similar proposed bans and restrictions on a number of occasions.

“I am concerned, as Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg stated so clearly in her dissenting opinion, that this vote could be the beginning of ‘an effort to chip away a right declared again and again by this court’,” added the Governor. I sincerely hope that is not the case.”

"Pro Life, Whole Life" Senator Sam Brownback Hails Today’s Pro Life Victory

ALEXANDRIA, VA — U.S. Senator Sam Brownback of Kansas, the leading pro-life voice in the U.S. Congress and Republican candidate for President, today applauded the Supreme Court ruling to uphold the federal ban on partial birth abortions. On the Senate floor, Brownback stated: "I'm delighted that the Supreme Court is moving forward to see the expression of life in the Constitution. I hope that some day we’ll see all life respected at all stages and protected in this land and around the world." Brownback also added: "I am very pleased that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled to uphold the ban on partial birth abortions. This ban was enacted to put an end to one of the most grotesque forms of abortion, and it is completely in line with the respect for life that is at the very heart of our Constitution. This is a great step forward for our nation’s citizens, born and unborn.” Brownback continued: "I applaud the Court for finding that the Constitution 'expresses respect for the dignity of human life,' and hope that this decision signals the Court's willingness to revisit and reverse Roe v. Wade." U.S. Senator Sam Brownback has been a champion of the pro-life movement since he was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 1994. Brownback is unequivocally pro-life, and believes all innocent life must be defended from conception until natural death. Brownback has led the fight in the U.S. Congress to confirm strict constructionists to the bench, like Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito, and to overturn Roe v. Wade. Brownback has also worked to end taxpayer funding of abortion, ban partial birth abortion, require notification that an unborn child experiences pain during late-term and partial-birth abortion, oppose taxpayer funding for life-destroying scientific research, ban human cloning, ban fetal farming, and ban human-animal hybrids. Brownback also opposes doctor-assisted suicide. The pro-life movement made significant gains today, a reminder of the importance of electing a pro-life President in 2008. U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, a strong and consistent pro-life Republican, is the clear choice.

Statement from Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold the Congressional Ban on Partial Birth Abortion

Rudy Giuliani made the following statement today regarding the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the Congressional ban on partial birth abortion:

"The Supreme Court reached the correct conclusion in upholding the congressional ban on partial birth abortion. I agree with it."

Former Governor Mike Huckabee Applauds Supreme Court Ruling on Partial Birth Abortion

MANCHESTER, NH – Former Governor Mike Huckabee (AR) issued the following statement on Wednesday’s 5-4 Supreme Court ruling upholding a federal ban on partial birth abortion.

"I am pleased that the Supreme Court ruled to uphold the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act passed by Congress in 2003 to protect mothers and children from the use of this gruesome procedure. As governor of Arkansas, I led the fight to enact a similar ban to protect the sanctity of unborn human life – and I support a federal ban. With this landmark ruling, I am optimistic that we are turning the tide in favor of life."

Acknowledging that the Supreme Court reviewed a similar case in 2000 with a 5-4 majority ruling to uphold abortion laws, Huckabee said: “The Republican Congress was right to enact a federal law in 2003 banning partial birth abortion procedures. Today’s Supreme Court – which upheld the 2003 law – is a narrow victory for those who support the culture of life, beginning at conception. I applaud the Court's action, which also sends a strong reminder that we must stay vigilant in our cause to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

ARLINGTON, VA - U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the following statement:

"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a victory for those who cherish the sanctity of life and integrity of the judiciary. The ruling ensures that an unacceptable and unjustifiable practice will not be carried out on our innocent children. It also clearly speaks to the importance of nominating and confirming strict constructionist judges who interpret the law as it is written, and do not usurp the authority of Congress and state legislatures. As we move forward, it is critically important that our party continues to stand on the side of life."

Boston, MA – Today, Governor Mitt Romney issued the following statement praising the U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act:

"Today, our nation's highest court reaffirmed the value of life in

America

by upholding a ban on a practice that offends basic human decency. This decision represents a step forward in protecting the weakest and most innocent among us."

(Washington, D.C.) Congressman Tom Tancredo (R- CO) rejoiced over today’s Supreme Court decision, ending partial birth abortions. In these abortions, usually performed late in a pregnancy, the infant’s skull is crushed and extracted from the womb.

Today the Supreme Court put an end to this barbaric practice of infanticide, Tancredo said. One can only hope this is the first step towards ending the tragedy of abortions.

This ruling, won by a 5-4 margin, is the first major victory for pro-life activists since Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito were appointed to the Supreme Court. Both of them voted in the majority, along with Justices Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy.

Congressman Tancredo concluded by saying, I am pleased the Court has finally begun to address the moral and intellectual travesty of Roe vs. Wade.

Governor Thompson's Statement On U.S. Supreme Court Abortion Decision

WASHINGTON - Governor Tommy G. Thompson issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court upholding the ban on partial-birth abortion:

"I commend the United States Supreme Court for upholding the nation’s ban on partial-birth abortions. This decision sends a clear message that the United States values life and has no tolerance for this gruesome, abhorrent way to take a life. There is no place for partial-birth abortions in this country, and I am pleased the court upheld the law passed by Congress.”

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Dean on Supreme Court Ruling on Federal Abortion Ban

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson Calls Supreme Court Decision on Abortion Ban a “Dangerous Step Backward"

Statement from Mayor Rudy Giuliani on Supreme Court Decision to Uphold the Congressional Ban on Partial Birth Abortion