New York to Advance Reproductive Rights in New York by Introducing Constitutional Amendment Writing Roe V. Wade into New York State Constitution
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2017
CONTACT: Christie Petrone, [email protected], 718-594-6438
Statement from Andrea Miller, President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health
“Today, Gov. Cuomo proposed a Constitutional Amendment to write Roe v. Wade into the New York State Constitution. This proposal is a bold move to ensure that New York never falls victim to the hostility to abortion rights that is becoming a hallmark of the new presidential administration, and solidifies New York’s role as beacon of reproductive freedom for states across the nation.
“Gov. Cuomo’s announcement was made before a crowd of more than 1,000 supporters of reproductive rights from across the state – supporters who represent the overwhelming majority of New Yorkers who believe that our state laws should protect and support a woman who has decided to have an abortion.
“This announcement is especially timely, as Pres. Trump is expected to announce his nominee for Supreme Court justice tomorrow – a nominee expected to oppose the a woman’s ability to access abortion as determined by Roe v. Wade. During a highly publicized interview during the campaign, when asked about abortion, Trump said “you have to ban it,” and that “there has to be some form of punishment” for the woman having an abortion. Of his likely Supreme Court picks, he has said, “The judges will be pro-life.”
With this nightmare scenario unfolding from the White House, we join supporters of abortion access from across the state in thanking Gov. Cuomo for proposing to write protections for abortion access into the New York State constitution. This courageous and critical move sets an important example of how, in this current environment, states can take affirmative steps to advance women’s health and well-being.”