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NEWS & LETTERS, NOVEMBER 2003Abortion rights crisisAfter eight years of trying, the right-wing politicians in the U.S. Congress have voted to ban late term abortions--the most far-reaching limit on abortion since it was legalized by the Supreme Court in 1973. The House of Representatives passed the legislation, Oct. 2, by a vote of 281 to 142, while the Senate, with the help of 17 Democrats (some supposedly pro-choice!), supported it 64-34 on Oct. 21. Their misogynist president George Bush has already said he would sign this travesty into law. This is said to be the first time in history that Congress is banning a medical procedure considered medically necessary by physicians. The real goal of the law has nothing to do with health or fetuses but is to ultimately end all abortion. It’s anti-woman nature can be seen in the fact that it prohibits several safe and common medical procedures, thereby, as one doctor put it, endangering the lives of countless women. Anyone violating the ban faces two years in prison and whatever fine they decide to mete out. Many are calling the legislation unconstitutional because it contains no exception to use the procedure for the health of the mother. At least three groups say they will file suit to stop the law from taking effect: the Center for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation, who will be represented by the American Civil Liberties Union. While we hope the streets will soon be filled with demonstrators against this heinous bill, there is a march for choice being planned for April in Washington, D.C. to rally support for women’s rights. According to Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt, “this is the first time that the White House and both Houses of Congress have been aligned in lockstep and ready to take away reproductive choice.” And if we assume that the Supreme Court will support our rights this time, just remember who put Bush in the presidency when the voters didn’t. --Mary Jo Grey |
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