Pro-Choice Senators Block Controversial Last-Minute Anti-Choice Legislation

Washington, DC - Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, called the Senate's vote not to bring up the "Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act" (CIANA) a victory over Sen. Bill Frist's transparent attempt to abuse the legislative process to please right-wing anti-choice groups that are demanding actions in return for their support in the November elections.  Tonight's vote stopped progress on a dangerous and divisive bill that would have imposed a sweeping and confusing parental-involvement law on doctors, young women, and responsible adults who are simply helping teens facing crisis situations. 

"Pro-choice Americans applaud the pro-choice senators who stood up to Sen. Bill Frist's transparent attempt to pacify his far-right base," Keenan said.  "Frist showed just how far he will go to bow to far-right pressure groups even if it means jeopardizing young women’s safety."

"This vote further demonstrates that elections matter.  The change of only a few votes could have paved the way for the Senate to pass a dangerous and divisive bill," Keenan continued.  "Americans who are tired of these divisive attacks know that we need pro-choice leadership in Congress to prevent future anti-choice bills from being pushed through under the cover of night."

Facts on the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act:

• It would impose an impossibly complex patchwork of parental-involvement laws on women and doctors across the country, making it practically impossible for young women to access abortion care in another state.  Because only 13 percent of U.S. counties have an abortion provider, for many young women the closest provider is in a neighboring state.
• It would impose criminal penalties on any adult other than a parent – including a grandparent, aunt, or religious counselor – who accompanies a young woman for abortion care in another state.  This bill has no exception for teens who turn to another responsible adult because of violence at home, or in situations of rape or incest. 
• Not only is the bill unconstitutional, it would impose criminal penalties on doctors who make an honest or inadvertent mistake in complying with one of the many complicated provisions.

Contact:
Ted Miller, 202.973.3032