FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2013
Contact: Mallory Quigley, 202-223-8073, [email protected]
Decision to Limit Abortions after 20 Weeks Heads to US Supreme Court
Washington, D.C. – More than 30 pro-life women lawmakers, all members of the National Pro-life Women’s Caucus, have signed on to a Supreme Court amicus brief appealing the decision of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn Arizona’s law stopping abortions after 20 weeks, more than halfway through pregnancy. In addition to Pro-life Women’s Caucus members, signers include: Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Susan B. Anthony List Vice President of Government Affairs former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave, and Concerned Women for America President Penny Nance.
“I am proud to stand with pro-life women from across the country in support of this compassionate, common sense law aimed at protecting women and unborn children from dangerous late abortions,” said Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin. “Polls show that Americans nationwide are united in opposing abortion after the point where the baby feels pain. In fact, women support this measure in even higher numbers than men. I hope to see the Supreme Court affirm the steps taken by pro-life representatives in Arizona, led by State Rep. Kimberly Yee, and reverse the ruling of the lower court.”
“This is an important moment. It is the first time that pro-life women legislators from across the nation have joined together to support a champion pro-life woman legislator at this level. Rep. Kimberly Yee led the fight to protect pain-capable babies in Arizona and now her efforts have national implications,” said SBA List Vice President and former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. “The Pro-life Women’s Caucus is proud to stand with her during this critical battle to protect unborn children from late-term abortion.”
“The Supreme Court of Arizona erred in overturning the ban on abortions after 20 weeks,” said Penny Nance, President of Concerned Women for America. “Scientific evidence has proven that by 20 weeks babies have all their organs, hear and respond to their mother’ voices, and feel pain. It’s time for the laws of our nation to catch up and reflect our society’s desire to protect the innocent out of compassion for the mother and the child. While all abortions pose physical and psychological risks for the woman, medical risks from abortion increase markedly as pregnancy progresses, including the risk of death.”
Three disability rights groups have also sent an amicus brief to the Supreme Court supporting the ban on abortions after 20 weeks, “as a necessary safeguard against ‘postnatal eugenics.’” A growing number of states and the U.S. House have now voted to end late abortion past the point at which the child can feel pain and numerous national polls show this effort has widespread public support.
The Susan B. Anthony List, is dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates who will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List emphasizes the education, promotion, mobilization, and election of pro-life women. The SBA List is a network of more than 365,000 pro-life Americans nationwide.
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