Constitutional Law

Roe Under Siege

From Rome to the American heartland, opponents of reproductive rights are mobilizing.

On an official visit to Italy, U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has met with Pope Benedict XVI. Demonstrating key differences, offices of the two dignitaries released very dissimilar statements after the meeting.

Pelosi’s statement steered clear of abortion rights, saying that she employed the 15-minute meeting “to praise the Church’s leadership in fighting poverty, hunger and global warming.” For his part, the Pope’s statement referred to no issue but abortion, saying that Catholic politicians are obligated to protect life “at all stages of its development.”

Meanwhile, in North Dakota, the state House passed legislation giving constitutional rights to fertilized human eggs. The bill was introduced by state Rep. Dan Ruby (R-Minot) who spoke plainly about the motivations behind the law. “I think North Dakota will be on the map to be the first state in recent years to mount a legitimate challenge to Roe v. Wade,” Ruby told reporters. The state Senate has yet to set a date for debate on the bill.

Six other states, including Montana, are currently considering similar legislation. Last November, voters in Colorado and South Dakota rejected measures intended to revoke reproductive rights nationwide.

Full post as published by ACS Blog on February 19, 2009 (boomark / email).