Abortion

"Senators were urged to eliminate references to reproductive health"

June 18, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - Following the recent tragic shooting death of Dr. George Tiller, a reproductive health care provider in Kansas, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) authored a non-controversial resolution condemning the use of violence against providers of women's health care services.

The resolution faced objection by some colleagues on the other side of the aisle, and the Senators were urged to eliminate references to women's reproductive health care in order to unanimously pass the resolution. Shaheen, Boxer, and Klobuchar introduced their original resolution, which was co-sponsored by an additional 43 Senators.    » read more »

June 5, 2009 -- The Department's Civil Rights Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas have launched a federal investigation into federal crimes in connection with the murder of Dr. George Tiller. The federal probe will consist of a thorough review of the evidence and an assessment of any potential violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (FACE Act) or other federal statutes.

The federal investigation will be conducted in close coordination with the Office of the Sedgwick County, Kan., District Attorney, and the state's ongoing murder prosecution will have the full support of federal investigators.    » read more »

June 1, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. – In response to the murder of Dr. George Tiller, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

"I am outraged and saddened that in this day and age, a doctor is murdered simply for working on behalf of his patients.

"While the issue of reproductive rights provokes emotions on both sides, threats of violence and harassment are morally reprehensible and should not be tolerated.

"Dr. Tiller’s death is a tremendous loss for all those who care about the health and well being of women and families.

"My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Tiller's family.”

Source: Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

June 1, 2009 -- "I send my condolences to Dr. Tiller's family, friends and patients who relied on him.

The debate over abortion rights is very difficult and reaches deep into religion, philosophy and one’s view of Roe v. Wade.

Everyone has the right to work for changes in the law. But to assault a health care worker, a patient or anyone else because of a disagreement about an issue, regardless of how contentious, brings all of humanity down into a dark pit of violence.

Such actions must not be tolerated.    » read more »

May 31, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson issued the following statement on the murder of Dr. George Tiller:

“I was deeply saddened to learn that Dr. George Tiller, a well-known provider of and advocate for women’s health care, was gunned down this morning at his church in Wichita, Kansas. With his murder, we are robbed not only of a dedicated and courageous physician, but also of a husband, father and neighbor. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Dr. Tiller’s family, friends and community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.    » read more »

NEW YORK, NY – May 31, 2009 -- Cecile Richards, President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, today issued the following statement on the murder of reproductive health care provider Dr. George Tiller in Wichita, KS.

The entire Planned Parenthood family is deeply saddened by the murder of Dr. George Tiller. While he was not a Planned Parenthood provider, he was an integral part of our community and his loss is felt by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and those close to him who are suffering a personal tragedy.    » read more »

January 22, 2009 -- “It’s truly a new day for women’s health — and the health and well-being of their families. This year, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade comes just two days after the historic inauguration of President Obama, a pro-choice president committed to protecting and strengthening women’s health.

“While we know there will be efforts in states across the country to undermine a women’s right to make personal health decisions, we believe that the American people have said clearly that they are ready for a new day. They are ready to put the divisive politics of the past behind them and ready to move forward with commonsense solutions to our pressing national problems.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- Today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe. v. Wade:

"As we mark the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade today, Democrats stand solidly in support of women and their right to make important life decisions about their health care.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women's health.    » read more »

1/22/2008 -- The Hillary Clinton campaign today reinforced its commitment to protect a woman’s right to make the most fundamental decisions about her life and health and announced a comprehensive agenda for women’s reducing unintended pregnancy and enhancing access to reproductive health care. The announcement comes on the 35th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and follows the news of the endorsement of WCLA - Choice Matters, one of the oldest pro-choice advocacy organizations in the nation.    » read more »

Jan 22, 2008 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – John Edwards released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

"Roe v. Wade was an important step on the road to full equality, opportunity and dignity for women. On the 35th anniversary, it is important to reflect how far we've come as a nation, but more importantly how far we still have to go.    » read more »

01/22/2008 -- WASHINGTON DC – Senator John Kerry reasserted his support for Roe v. Wade, and all those who fight every day to protect a woman’s right to choose, today the 35th Anniversary of the Supreme Court decision. Kerry’s first speech on the Senate floor was in support of women’s reproductive rights, and he continues to push for strong and unbroken abortion rights to this day.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on the 35th anniversary of Roe V. Wade:

“Today we recognize the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade—a cornerstone of the women’s reproductive rights.

“On this day in 1973, the Supreme Court recognized that a woman has the power and fundamental right to choose what happens to her body and, by extension, her future.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 --"Today we recall the 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade, in which the United States Supreme Court upheld the right of a woman to make the fundamental decision of whether and when to bear a child. This anniversary not only offers us an opportunity to reflect on the past 35 years, but the responsibility to look ahead and ask what we must do to continue to protect a woman’s right to control her own reproductive health decisions here in New York.    » read more »

January 11, 2008 -- McLean, VA - Today the Rhode Island Right to Life Federal PAC endorsed Senator Fred Thompson for President.

"The RI Right to Life Federal PAC will do all it can to assist in the nomination of Fred Thompson for President," said Rita Parquette, Executive Director of Rhode Island Right to Life. "Fred Thompson will do everything he can to protect the lives of the unborn, the elderly, the disabled and the sick if he becomes the next president of the United States."    » read more »