NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Opposes Alito's Nomination
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 31, 2005
PRO-CHOICE WISCONSINITES OPPOSE SAMUEL ALITO FOR THE SUPREME COURT
Bush’s anti-choice nominee threatens Roe v. Wade
Madison, WI – NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin announced its opposition to President
Bush’s nomination of Samuel Alito, Jr. to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. In selecting Alito, President Bush caved to his far-right extremist base, including groups who oppose the right to abortion in all circumstances. Alito’s nomination to replace the moderate O’Connor threatens to eliminate fundamental freedoms, including a woman’s right to choose as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.
Samuel Alito’s record reveals a disdain for core constitutional rights and troubling views that place him well outside the American mainstream:
• Alito distanced himself from the longstanding constitutional requirement that abortion restrictions must have exceptions to protect a woman's health. He did so when ruling on a law that effectively banned abortion as early as the 12th week of pregnancy and lacked an exception to protect women’s health.
• Alito has written that significant restrictions on the right to choose, including spousal-notification, are constitutional. In Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, Alito argued that each of the law’s proposed restrictions was permissible – an extreme view putting him far to the right than the rest of the court.
• Alito would uphold laws that place significant roadblocks in the way of women seeking abortion care. Alito joined opinions concluding that abortion restrictions causing “time delay, higher cost, reduced availability,” and biased counseling are permissible, because although admittedly they are “potential burdens,” they could not “be characterized as an undue burden.” This opinion practically ensures that he would never find any burden on the right to choose to be undue.
“Instead of unifying the country behind a moderate conservative, President Bush has chosen to wage war on our most cherished rights and freedoms,” said Kelda Helen Roys, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin. “Sandra Day O’Connor has been the Court’s swing Justice, frequently casting the deciding vote to protect women’s reproductive freedom as well as many other important American rights. By nominating Alito to take O’Connor’s place, Bush could shift the balance of the Court for decades to come – even overturning Roe v. Wade.”
Contact: Kelda Helen Roys, (608) 213-4502
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