NARAL Pro-Choice NH Responds to Roberts Answers On Precedent, Privacy – Deeper Questioning Needed.
Concord, NH – This morning, Judge John Roberts faced his first round of questioning regarding the precedent set by the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and the right to privacy. Liza Dube, Political Director for NARAL Pro-Choice NH issued the following statement regarding the role Judge Roberts would face in shaping future Supreme Court decisions if selected Chief Justice – including the upcoming NH Parental Notification case. “Roberts’ comments on precedent and the role of stare decisis don’t take into account that Roe can be rendered completely useless without directly overturning the ruling. In fact, NH’s own parental notification law, heading to the Supreme Court as we speak, won’t ask the court to overturn Roe, but, if upheld, will strip women of their current constitutional right to protect their health when seeking abortion. We’re talking about basic protection for women’s health. This decision could be devastating for women across the nation while still keeping the appearance of Roe v. Wade intact.” “As Chief Justice, John Roberts would have the power to decide which cases are heard and, in some situations, the authors of majority opinions - in effect shaping the future of how our basic rights are perceived by the court. His answers to today’s questions by Senator Specter did nothing to help us understand where he stands on the right to privacy when it comes to the right to choose, nor did they give the pro-choice community any confidence that he will protect our fundamental freedoms. Hopefully the senators have only begun to peel away the layers of Roberts’ views on these issues, until then, we will continue demanding direct answers as the hearings progress.”
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