Alito on Constitution and Abortion

Alito: "The Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion."

WASHINGTON, DC — Today the White House released a 1985 application by Samuel Alito to become deputy assistant to U.S. Attorney General Edwin I. Meese III in which he says that he believes strongly that "the Constitution does not protect the right to an abortion." Planned Parenthood Federation of America Interim President Karen Pearl issued the following statement in response:

"This document shows Judge Alito's judicial philosophy is far more dangerous to the health and safety of American women than the public may have thought. It is strong evidence that Judge Alito would vote to permit restrictions on reproductive freedom for every woman in the United States.

"From day one, Planned Parenthood has opposed the confirmation of Judge Alito to the Supreme Court because we believed he would undermine basic reproductive rights and, given the chance, overturn Roe v. Wade.

"Recent polls have shown that 65 percent of Americans would reject a Supreme Court nominee if it becomes clear he or she would vote to overturn Roe. This newly released document further confirms our fears that, if confirmed as a justice on the Supreme Court, that is precisely what Judge Alito would do. There is no room on the court for someone like Judge Alito with a judicial philosophy that places at risk the rights, freedoms, and liberties that Americans hold dear."