Below is Schakowsky’s Statement:
In the over 30 years since the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, women in every state across the country have had the fundamental right to an abortion, to reproductive freedom.  Roe v. Wade ended the harsh reality of back alley abortions, improved women’s health and gave women options.  Many of us here remember that day very well when the Supreme Court made that important decision.  And I applaud the Center for Reproductive Rights for preparing this scholarly report which reminds us of the dangers we face if the Court reverses its judgments.  

This week, as the U.S. Supreme Court begins its fall term, we are all reminded that women’s reproductive rights are at greater risk now than at any time prior to Roe v. Wade. 
A vacancy or two on the Supreme Court could be enough to swing the balance and eliminate a woman’s right to choose.  If a justice who supports privacy and women’s rights is replaced by one who opposes them, all of the gains made by Roe could be lost.  With a closely divided 5-4 Supreme Court, even one switch would be enough to reverse all the gains made since 1973. 

Anyone who doubts this could happen just has to look at the record of this Administration.  President Bush has nominated more than 100 anti-choice judges to federal district and appellate courts.  If given the chance, the odds are great that he would name an anti-choice Supreme Court justice.  

Pro-choice women and men must not take that gamble particularly since – as we have heard today – there is no backup if Roe v. Wade is overturned.  According to What if Roe Fell?, over 70 million women could lose the right to choose virtually immediately. 

The importance of a U.S. Supreme Court that will uphold Roe v. Wade has never been more clear.  Reproductive rights must continue to be the law of the land, not a footnote in history.