NCJW Decries House Passage of Bill Endangering Teens
April 28, 2005, Washington, DC -- In response to the House of Representatives' 270-157 vote approving the "Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act" (CIANA), HR 748, NCJW President Phyllis Snyder released the following statement:
"The House passage of CIANA threatens the lives and health of young women and brings us a step closer to dismantling reproductive rights protected by Roe v. Wade. CIANA is a broad anti-choice bill that imposes a series of complex mandates, on both young women and their doctors, designed to make abortion services virtually inaccessible to minors.
"Taking aim at the doctors who provide abortion services, as well as the young women and trusted adults to whom they turn for support and counsel, CIANA jeopardizes the very lives of teens. In the end, the bill would serve to further isolate and imperil vulnerable young women who, in seeking to overcome the additional obstacles now imposed upon them and regain control of their lives, may seek unsafe alternatives to abortion.
"The fact is, most minors generally do involve a parent in their decision to terminate a pregnancy. And for those who do or can not, such as minors who come from abusive homes or are victims of rape or incest, CIANA would prevent them from turning to trusted adults for assistance.
"NCJW is deeply concerned by the passage of CIANA in the House of Representatives and urges the Senate to reject this harmful legislation."
NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide. It has launched BenchMark: NCJW's Campaign to Save Roe, a national effort to educate and mobilize NCJW members, the Jewish community, and friends and allies everywhere to promote a federal bench with judges that support fundamental freedoms, including a woman's right to choose.
Contact: Becky Dansky
202 296 2588; becky@ncjwdc.org