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How to Restore America’s Position as a Leader on Reproductive Rights
RH Reality Check, January 8, 2009Nancy Northup, President, Center for Reproductive RightsWith the election of Barack Obama, women around the world can heave a collective sigh of relief and look forward to an end to [...]
A Year In Review: 2009 Legislative Wrap Up
In the United States, state legislatures wield enormous power to control women's access to abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. In 2009, as in past years, legislatures throughout the country considered hundreds of bills that [...]
Fighting to Protect Women’s Health
A Case History of the Battle Against the Federal Abortion Ban In 1997, the Center for Reproductive Rights filed suit against a Nebraska abortion ban in federal court, on behalf of a physician, Dr. LeRoy [...]
Legislative History of the Federal Abortion Ban
On November 5, 2003, President George W. Bush signed into law the first-ever federal ban on abortion, despite a June 2000 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that found similar bans to be unconstitutional. To learn more [...]
Efforts to Pass a Federal Abortion Ban – Timeline
1995-1996 - The U.S. Congress passes the first nationwide ban on abortion, which is vetoed by President Clinton. Although abortion foes are able to override the President's veto in the House, Senators sustain the President's [...]
Judge Sonia Sotomayor Confirmed by Senate
On August 6, 2009, the Senate confirmed Judge Sonia Sotomayor as the nation’s first Latina Supreme Court justice. The Center does not take a position on Supreme Court nominees. But, in the past and latest [...]
Supreme Court Hearing Raises Few Questions about Abortion Rights and Offers Fewer Answers
Today, the Center for Reproductive Rights called for more probing and clarification on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sotomayor’s views on abortion rights. In yesterday’s Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings, Senators devoted approximately 30 minutes to [...]
U.S. Supreme Court Case Summaries: Griswold and Leading Abortion Cases (1965 – 2007)
Griswold v. Connecticut Roe v. Wade Bellotti v. Baird II Harris v. McRae Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey Stenberg v. Carhart Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England Gonzales v. Carhart Griswold [...]
Reproductive rights are human rights.
Help us ensure that every government around the world guarantees them.
Court Upholds VA Abortion Ban, Further Eroding Constitutional Protections for Abortion Rights
New York, NY - Today, in a 6-5 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit upheld a Virginia law that threatens doctors with criminal penalties for performing the most common method of [...]
Supreme Court Vacancy Opens Door for Strong Voice on Reproductive Rights
The announcement of Supreme Court Justice David Souter’s retirement at the end of the term in June provides a critical opportunity for the President to nominate a candidate that will recognize constitutional rights, including a [...]
Supreme Court Vacancy Provides President Opportunity to Nominate Strong Voice for Reproductive Rights
Today, news reports surfaced that Supreme Court Justice David Souter plans to retire at the end of the term in June. The Center for Reproductive Rights urges President Obama and Congress to ensure that candidates [...]
The U.S. Supreme Court Rules Against Women’s Health
Of Counsel, Summer 2007Message from our President Nancy Northup Though most court-watchers were expecting the decision in Gonzales v. Carhart to come down late in the Supreme Court's term, we were prepared for it [...]
Safe Pregnancy and Safe Abortion as Human Rights
Of Counsel, Fall 2007 Message from our President Nancy Northup I just got back from London, energized and inspired by the Center's participation in two global conferences. The first, Women Deliver, celebrated the anniversary [...]
Reproductive rights are human rights.
Help us ensure that every government around the world guarantees them.