Planned Parenthood, NARAL Announce They Will ‘Score’ D.C. Abortion Ban Vote, Countering Anti-Choice Forces and Raising the Stakes

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked Planned Parenthood Federation of America and NARAL Pro-Choice America for informing Members of the House that they intend to "score" Tuesday's vote on Rep. Trent Franks' (R-AZ) bill (H.R. 3803) that would ban abortions in the District of Columbia after 20 weeks of pregnancy. While many groups make voting recommendations to Members of Congress on the bills affecting their members, they score the very few most important ones. These groups then compile annual scorecards based on these key votes to inform their members and the general public whether a Member of Congress is a friend or foe of a policy and of the groups' members. Anti-choice groups, which are also scoring the bill, named it, upon its introduction, their top legislative priority this Congress. These groups launched a campaign after the bill passed in committee 10 days ago to pressure House leadership to schedule a floor vote before the month-long August recess. The anti-choice forces consider Tuesday's vote "a landmark" that would "lay the foundation" for a nationwide ban on post-20-week abortions. However, Norton believes that she has a decent chance to prevail on Tuesday.

"The national implications of the D.C. abortion ban bill have been clear to the pro-choice community and women's groups from day one," Norton said. "The bill picked on the District, seen as an easy mark in a Republican House, to thwart a wholesale reaction from the nation's women. The bill's intent and effect on women elsewhere, however, has not been lost on the nation's women because the bill takes direct aim at Roe v. Wade, affecting the reproductive health of women across America. NARAL and Planned Parenthood have millions of members and supporters throughout the country. By announcing they are scoring the vote, there will be no free pass for Members of Congress who vote for the bill. Members of Congress can no longer explain to their constituents that they were voting on only a ‘D.C. bill.' These pro-choice groups have put Members of Congress on notice that the nation's women will also be ‘scoring' the vote."

D.C.'s ability to confront anti-home-rule attacks has been greatly enhanced by a coalition of 100 national and local groups that is committed to fight any attack on D.C.'s home rule, regardless of the underlying issue. Norton said she is grateful that the coalition has matched the efforts of the anti-choice forces on the bill at every step of the legislative process.

Published: July 30, 2012