Rep. Nadler Statement on 35th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, today issued the following statement regarding the 35th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade:

“Thirty-five years ago, the Supreme Court issued one of the most important decisions of the 20th century – Roe v. Wade.  35 years later and reproductive rights remain under attack.  We face the very real danger that women may lose their right to choose.  

“Just last year, in Gonzales v. Carhart, the Supreme Court -- for the first time ever -- upheld a major restriction on a woman’s right to choose.  In doing so, the court showed its anti-choice stripes.  To help correct that problem, I re-introduced the Freedom of Choice Act, which would write the protections of Roe v. Wade into law.

“The need for such legislation is paramount.  The Bush Administration continues to attack the right to choose, and continues to seek to turn back the clock for women and their families. On the local level, state attacks on the right to choose have already eroded this right.  The threat to choice is real, and it is here now.  We need to codify the protections of Roe.

“The right to choose is too important to leave at the mercy of an increasingly conservative Supreme Court.  The right to choose should not be contingent upon where a woman lives.  If Roe were to be overturned, we could return to the time when women were forced to resort to illegal abortions and risked infection, hemorrhage, sterility and death.  

The right of women to control their own bodies, their health and their destinies is under attack and Congress must act.  I will work with my colleagues to pass the Freedom of Choice Act and ensure that women are able to continue to make these personal decisions safely, legally and privately.”