Merkley Statement on the 35th Anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Decision

PORTLAND—Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley, Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, released the following statement today in recognition of the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision:

“The anniversary of Roe v. Wade today reminds us how far we have come in the struggle for basic family health care, but it is also a reminder of just how far we have left to go.

“The right to choose is under attack every day at the local, state and federal levels. And the fight isn’t just limited to abortion rights. Access to birth control and even the right to medically accurate information are prime targets.

“I am proud that last year the state legislature guaranteed that victims of sexual assault are able to access emergency contraception in every hospital emergency room. We also made sure that health insurance companies could not discriminate against women by denying them coverage for birth control.

“Right now, protection for Roe is very tenuous among the justices on the Supreme Court. That’s why it is critical to elect a President and a U.S. Senate that will stand up for American families. Just like I did in the state legislature, I will always stand up to protect the right to choose as a U.S. Senator.”

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Posted January 22, 2008
Press, Spotlight