Democrats fight for choice

Abortion Ban Spurs 'Free Choice' Move in Congress

The day after the Supreme Court upheld a controversial abortion ban, pro-choice politicians mounted a counteroffensive from the legislative branch of government across the street.

Democrats Sen. Barbara Boxer of California and Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York--two leading supporters of abortion rights in the U.S. Congress--reintroduced the Freedom of Choice Act, which would codify in federal law the rights established in Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court ruling that found abortion was part of a woman's constitutional right to privacy.

"We can no longer rely on the Supreme Court to protect a woman's constitutional right to choose," said Nadler, who chairs the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. "This Supreme Court may have gone out of the business of protecting women's rights; it is time that Congress stand up to the challenge."

I think Democrats should make this a core issue. There is no doubt that the average American supports free choice, especially when the woman's health and life might be in danger.

If passed, the Freedom of Choice Act would likely lead to court challenges that could overturn the ban upheld Wednesday. The federal ban okayed by the high court Wednesday does not include an exception to protect the health of the woman, a precedent laid out in Roe v. Wade.

The Democrat's bill would also bar government at any level from passing laws that outlaw abortion before the fetus is viable or after viability if the woman's health or life is endangered. It is unclear how the law would apply to future or past restrictions on access to abortion.

Supporters say the legislation will help inoculate women from a wave of new restrictions to abortion that is expected to follow Wednesday's court decision. Advocates on both sides of the issue agree that the court's ruling gives a green light to further chip away at reproductive rights and could even embolden efforts to ban abortion altogether.

I think that every Democratic member of the senate should be held accoutable for their vote on this issue. Harry Reid is going to vote against, and in a perfect world, he would get kicked out at the next election. On top of that, people should try to influence moderate Republicans. Use words like "murder" when talking about what happens to the women who can't get a medically needed abortion. Get personal stories into the press. Put a constant firm pressure on the politicans to make up for their past faults.

This is literately an issue of life and death for women.

Edit: more on the issue of the abortion ban can be found at Truthdig