NCJW Applauds House Failure to Pass Anti-Abortion Bill
May 31, 2012, Washington, DC — The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) was pleased that the House failed to get the super majority needed to pass the so-called Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act (HR 3541, or PRENDA), a thinly disguised anti-abortion measure. NCJW CEO Nancy K. Kaufman released the following statement:
“The so-called Prenatal Non-Discrimination Act (PRENDA) does not target discrimination. It is simply the latest in a growing list of measures proposed at the state and national level to make abortion inaccessible. NCJW is pleased that the bill failed to garner the two-thirds majority required to pass the bill which was considered under a suspension procedure.
“This bill was designed to intimidate patients and providers through the threat of criminal penalties and invasive state intrusion into personal health care decisions. While claiming to be a tool for ending sex discrimination, it instead would undermine women’s access to abortion by mandating imprisonment for abortion providers if it can be proven that the provider performed an abortion because of the sex of the fetus.
“While PRENDA failed to pass, NCJW is deeply concerned by the continuing effort to undermine and eliminate the constitutionally protected right to choose abortion. We remain committed to protecting that right from insidious attacks like the bill that just failed in the House.”
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Contact: Brianne Nadeau
202-265-3000 c202-494-5736
Brianne@rabinowitz-dorf.com