Norton to Hold Press Conference on Hearing Targeting D.C. Abortions, Home Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today that Christy Zink, a George Washington University professor and District of Columbia resident, will join Norton at a Press conference at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012, in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building, on a bill (H.R. 3803) banning abortions in the District after 20 weeks of pregnancy, before Zink testifies against the bill at a House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution hearing at 4:00 p.m. that day. Zink had an abortion 21 weeks and five days into her pregnancy, after doctors found a cyst on the brain of the fetus and a follow-up MRI revealed severe fetal brain abnormalities. D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray, Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), ranking member of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, and National Abortion Federation President Vicki Saporta will also speak at the press conference.

"Women in the District of Columbia have been singled out for an unprecedented attack on their constitutional rights," Norton said. "Christy Zink will speak for us all in the District and for women throughout America, as versions of this bill have passed in several states."

Norton's request to testify at Thursday's hearing, held by the bill's sponsor and subcommittee chairman Trent Franks (R-AZ), was denied but she will offer written testimony. The National Right to Life Committee has called the bill its top legislative priority.

Who: Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, (Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray, Christy Zink, who had a post-20-week abortion, and National Abortion Federation President Vicki Saporta.

What: Press conference opposing the District of Columbia Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R.3803/S.2103), introduced by Representative Trent Franks (R-AZ) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)

When: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, May 17, 2012

Where: 2167 Rayburn House Office Building

Published: May 16, 2012