Planned Parenthood Opposes the Nomination of William Barr as U.S. Attorney General
For Immediate Release: Dec. 7, 2018
Barr’s opposition to Roe v. Wade and the right to access safe, legal abortion makes him unfit to defend the rights of all people
WASHINGTON — Today, Planned Parenthood Federation of America released the following statement opposing William Barr’s nomination as U.S. Attorney General.
Statement from Dana Singiser, Vice President of Public Policy and Government Affairs, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:
The most critical role of the attorney general is to uphold our nation’s laws and protect our rights and freedoms, including a woman’s constitutional right to abortion. William Barr’s point-blank assertion, during his previous confirmation hearing, that Roe was should be overruled is flat-out disqualifying — it proves that he cannot be trusted to execute on the job’s most basic responsibility. It is clear that he does not support individual liberty, cannot defend the rights of all people, and therefore should not become the next attorney general. Planned Parenthood opposes his nomination. We call on the president to withdraw this nomination and to nominate an attorney general who can fulfill the expectations of the people in this country and defend their rights, including the constitutional right to access safe, legal abortion.
Barr previously served as attorney general under President George H.W. Bush. In his 1991 confirmation hearing, Barr expressed his belief that the right to privacy does not extend to abortion and that he opposes Roe v. Wade. Seventy-two percent of Americans — including a majority of Democrats, Independents, and Republicans — do not want to see Roe v. Wade overturned. The attorney general, and the Department of Justice, is charged with enforcing the nation’s laws, including the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which helps protect women accessing reproductive health care.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.