Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, issued the following statement in response to Justice Stevens' retirement from the Supreme Court: "NARAL Pro-Choice America salutes Justice John Paul Stevens’ commitment to public service. Stevens is among the strongest supporters of the right to choose currently serving on the Supreme Court, and his retirement serves as yet another stark reminder of the important role the Court plays in our everyday lives." Learn more about Justice Stevens' decisions on choice-related cases.
Prof. Dawn Johnsen, who was nominated by President Obama for a position in the Department of Justice, withdrew her name from consideration. Keenan responded, "It is a sad day for our democracy when political obstruction in the U.S. Senate prevents an eminently qualified individual like Prof. Johnsen from serving in a pivotal position at the Department of Justice."
NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC endorsed five candidates running in districts currently represented by lawmakers who voted for anti-choice Rep. Bart Stupak's egregious abortion-coverage ban in the health-reform bill: Dan Seals (IL-10), Paula Brooks (OH-12), Suzan DelBene (WA-08), Steve Pougnet (CA-45), and Cedric Richmond (LA-02). NARAL Pro-Choice America PAC also endorsed Connie Saltonstall, who is running to replace retiring anti-choice Rep. Stupak in Michigan's 1st Congressional District.
Anti-choice groups in Nevada, Missouri, and several other states are working to pass "personhood" measures, which would ban abortion and could lead to bans on many common forms of birth control, and on stem-cell research and in-vitro fertilization.
