Posted on 10/05/2004 9:58:01 AM PDT by SmithPatterson
States May Ban Abortion if Roe Overturned
By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Thirty states are poised to make abortion illegal within a year if the Supreme Court reversed its 1973 ruling establishing a woman's legal right to an abortion, an advocacy group said Tuesday.
The Center for Reproductive Rights said some states have old laws on the books that would be triggered by the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade (news - web sites) decision. Others have language in their state constitutions or strongly anti-abortion legislatures that would act quickly if the federal protection for abortion was ended and the issue reverted to the states.
"The building blocks are already in place to recriminalize abortion," said Nancy Northup, the center's president.
The group's report comes less than a month before the presidential election, which those on both sides of the abortion issue say will be critical in determining the future of the Roe decision.
Currently, it is believed that five of the nine justices support abortion rights, but that balance could be tipped if President Bush (news - web sites), in a second term, nominates a new justice who reflects his anti-abortion views. Democratic contender John Kerry (news - web sites) is a strong supporter of abortion rights.
The center found that 18 states had pre-Roe laws totally or partially banning abortion. In some cases those laws have been blocked by a court, but could easily be revived if Roe were overturned. Alabama is one state where the abortion ban was never enjoined by the courts, and could be immediately enforced.
Other states such as Ohio don't have abortion bans, but both the legislature and the governor oppose abortion and without Roe there would likely be a rush to pass legislation banning abortion, the center said.
It concluded that 21 states are at high risk, and nine states at middle risk, of banning abortion within a year of Roe being overturned. More than 70 million women of childbearing age would be affected, the center said.
Another 20 states, including Massachusetts, which has a pre-Roe ban, would likely retain abortion rights because of other statutory protections or the makeup of their legislatures.
"We are really, I think, in some peril now," said Rep. Louise Slaughter, R-N.Y., one of 11 abortion rights lawmakers to attend the center's Capitol Hill news conference.
The only Republican was Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., who said that Roe v. Wade was "an extraordinarily important document" and "we need to elect more pro-choice Republicans to the Congress."
The 21 states considered at high risk of banning abortion were: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The nine at middle risk: Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
The 20 at lower risk: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
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Out of the standard Democrat playbook. Scare South Park Republicans into voting Dem to avoid losing legal abortion.
All the more reason to overturn Roe!
It should be up to the states. It's not like they will all ban it (unfortunately). Marxichusetts and Californicate will no doubt have highly-publicized legal abortions, with "tuition" assistance for those hailing from states with bans.
It is called pro-life, you left slanted agenda driven liar reporter. We can only pray that this will happen, and we can begin to really save some lives.
___________________________________________________
WASHINGTON Oct. 5, 2004 — Thirty states are poised to make abortion illegal within a year if the Supreme Court reversed its 1973 ruling establishing a woman's legal right to an abortion, an advocacy group said Tuesday.
The Center for Reproductive Rights said some states have old laws on the books that would be triggered by the overturning of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. Others have language in their state constitutions or strongly anti-abortion legislatures that would act quickly if the federal protection for abortion was ended and the issue reverted to the states.
"The building blocks are already in place to recriminalize abortion," said Nancy Northup, the center's president.
The group's report comes less than a month before the presidential election, which those on both sides of the abortion issue say will be critical in determining the future of the Roe decision.
Currently, it is believed that five of the nine justices support abortion rights, but that balance could be tipped if President Bush, in a second term, nominates a new justice who reflects his anti-abortion views. Democratic contender John Kerry is a strong supporter of abortion rights.
The center found that 18 states had pre-Roe laws totally or partially banning abortion. In some cases those laws have been blocked by a court, but could easily be revived if Roe were overturned. Alabama is one state where the abortion ban was never enjoined by the courts, and could be immediately enforced.
Other states such as Ohio don't have abortion bans, but both the legislature and the governor oppose abortion and without Roe there would likely be a rush to pass legislation banning abortion, the center said.
It concluded that 21 states are at high risk, and nine states at middle risk, of banning abortion within a year of Roe being overturned. More than 70 million women of childbearing age would be affected, the center said.
Another 20 states, including Massachusetts, which has a pre-Roe ban, would likely retain abortion rights because of other statutory protections or the makeup of their legislatures.
"We are really, I think, in some peril now," said Rep. Louise Slaughter, R-N.Y., one of 11 abortion rights lawmakers to attend the center's Capitol Hill news conference.
The only Republican was Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., who said that Roe v. Wade was "an extraordinarily important document" and "we need to elect more pro-choice Republicans to the Congress."
The 21 states considered at high risk of banning abortion were: Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.
The nine at middle risk: Arizona, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.
The 20 at lower risk: Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.
High risk/Low risk? Why not use words like "more likely/less likely"??? Oops, I keep forgetting the evil MSM and its Left-wing agenda.
Typical yahoo...
One thing I've never understood is if "pro-choice" people really believe they are the vast majority, why do they think Roe v. Wade is necessary for legal abortion? I think it is highly unlikely 30 states would "ban" abortion if Roe v. Wade were overturned. And it is unlikely that Roe v. wade will be overturned. This is media scare tactics to get out the pro-abortion vote to defeat Bush.
-- President George W. Bush, 9/2/04 Republican National Convention
So ending the murder of over 1 million innocent unborn children, who are primarily murdered for reasons of convenience, lifestyle choice, economic status, etc, is a bad thing exactly how???
Suuuuure they will. Uh-huh. Right.
It was never de-criminalized in the only court that matters. Judgement day will be a real eye opener for some.
I like how they declare that there are 20 states at "lower risk" of losing abortion rights, as if there was any risk at all in the states they listed (such as California or New York).
It should be up to the States, should have been all along.
What is it about most liberals? They claim to champion democracy, but when push comes to shove, they don't really care about the democratic process.
If RvW were overturned, many states will still allow abortion. That is unfortunate IMO but at least it it would be the will of the people. Over time, I believe there will be more restrictions placed on abortion, rather than an outright ban.
It should be up to the States, should have been all along.
What is it about most liberals? They claim to champion democracy, but when push comes to shove, they don't really care about the democratic process.
If RvW were overturned, many states will still allow abortion. That is unfortunate IMO but at least it it would be the will of the people. Over time, I believe there will be more restrictions placed on abortion, rather than an outright ban.
Remember the episode when Cartman's mom wanted to abort her 8 year old? She finally got her way, then realized that that wasn't what she really was asking for in the first place.
I agree. I am a pro-choice, but abortion should be left up to the states. Actually, it should be left up to the woman with no interference from anyone, anywhere, anytime.
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