Miers Withdraws Nomination
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Right-Wing Extremists Force Miers' Withdrawal, Bush White House in Turmoil, Back to Square One
NEW YORK CITY — Following the withdrawal by Harriet Miers of her candidacy for a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) warned that the decision should serve as an alert to all Americans of the growing power of extremist fringe groups to set the national agenda.
"Miers' withdrawal is a warning to all Americans that extremist groups are setting President Bush's national agenda. Miers was not extremist enough for groups that seek to impose a narrow ideological agenda on all of us," said PPFA Interim President Karen Pearl.
"Already facing a sea of troubles, the Bush White House should seize this opportunity to nominate a fair-minded nominee who clearly supports our fundamental privacy and reproductive rights," added Pearl. "Planned Parenthood will do everything in our power to ensure that the American people know what is at stake and fight to protect rights that are central to all Americans."
The Supreme Court's decision to hear Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood in November spotlights the urgency of the threat to reproductive freedom. In this high-stakes case, the justices may well rule on whether a woman's health will remain the paramount concern in laws that restrict abortion access. The ruling may have an immediate impact on women's health across the nation and will determine whether a fundamental principle established in Roe v. Wade will remain the law of the land.