Democrats for Life of America
Feminists Choosing Life of New York
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kristen Day -202-220-3066
ABORTION LANGUAGE WILL PREVENT PASSAGE
OF WOMEN’S RIGHTS PACKAGE
Consensus Means Removing Abortion Expansion
Albany, NY – Democrats For Life of New York and Feminists Choosing Life of New York issued an open letter to supporters of the Women’s Equality Act (WEA) to urge removal of the abortion expansion provisions. There is consensus and widespread support for the first nine points of the WEA concerning equality and safety for women, but not for the abortion language of the tenth point.
“Governor Cuomo stated that he is looking for consensus, and we have that on the first nine points of his proposal,” said Kristen Day, Executive Director of Democrats For Life of America. “The abortion language is divisive, controversial, and unnecessary. The only purpose it serves is to scuttle passage of a bill to advance women’s rights. The governor should not put the demands of the abortion industry above good legislation to promote, protect, and support women.”
Forty years ago, the failure to include abortion-neutral language prevented passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. It was on the verge of passing with 35 states agreeing to ratify the Amendment. Abortion-neutral language was proposed but not included, causing five states to repeal their approval of that federal constitutional amendment and resulting in the ERA's eventual defeat.
“We should not make the same mistake today that our leaders made 40 years ago. Most groups who support the Women’s Equality Act do not take a position on abortion,” said Carol Crossed, board member of DFL of New York. “We should work together to demand immediate passage of the nine points that we all agree on that will provide immediate support and equality for women.”
