Planned Parenthood Urges Full Senate to Reject Sessions’ Nomination

WASHINGTON - Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today called on the full Senate to reject Senator Jeff Sessions’ (R-AL) nomination to serve as Attorney General.

Planned Parenthood joined 70 reproductive health, rights, and justice groups to voice strong opposition to Senator Sessions’ nomination, citing “reason for concern for all who value the safety of women’s health providers and their patients.” Planned Parenthood also joined over 300 civil rights groups in a letter to Senate leaders outlining Sessions’ 30-year record of racial insensitivity, bias against immigrants, disregard for the rule of law, and hostility to the protection of civil rights,” including protecting the right to vote.

Planned Parenthood has deep concerns over Sessions’ involvement in the immigration executive actions that ramp up immigration enforcement and the ban on immigration from Muslim majority countries signed by President Trump, we joined 214 other national organizations in requesting the Senate Judiciary Committee further examine Sessions role in these executive orders.

Statement of Dana Singiser, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Jeff Sessions has not demonstrated that he can be trusted to enforce the rule of law, and is not fit to serve as Attorney General. He will run the Justice Department based on ideology and has embraced President Trump’s recent Executive Order which effectively restricts the ability of immigrants and refugees to enter this country based on their country of origin and religious background.

“Senator Sessions has an extreme track record of opposition to protecting civil rights, voting rights, immigration rights and the right to access the full range of reproductive health care and a dangerous record of not only racist remarks, but actions. He has been an obstacle to women’s access to health care – including access to safe and legal abortion – countless times throughout his career. He has long opposed the protections for clinics facing violence, raising deep concerns about whether he will ensure the safety of reproductive health care for providers, staff and patients and remain impartial in enforcing the law.

“What’s more, at Planned Parenthood, we see firsthand what it means for people who are forced to travel hundreds of miles for health care, or wait weeks to get an abortion if they can at all. These barriers to care have a disproportionate impact on those who already face barriers in the health care system – people of color, people who live in rural areas, people with low incomes, and immigrant communities. Our chief law enforcement official has a great impact on these individual’s basic human rights and ability to live without fear. The Senate should consider the needs of these individuals and block Senator Sessions’ nomination to serve as America’s Attorney General.”

###

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 over 650 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.