House Passes
Anti-Abortion LegislationIn a 260-161
vote, the House yesterday passed the Child Custody
Protection Act (HR 476), which would make it a federal
crime for an adult to transport a minor across state
lines to obtain an abortion if that adult is not the
minor’s parent. The bill had strong support from the GOP
but was vehemently opposed by pro-choice forces in the
House because it did not offer protections to young
girls who might otherwise seek dangerous illegal
abortions in the face of parental consent laws.
Pro-choice Democrats had offered several amendments to
the bill, including one that would have exempted minors
pregnant by a parent, guardian, or any household or
family member from abiding by the bill’s requirements.
This amendment, introduced by Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA),
was rejected 16-12 by the House Judiciary Committee last
month. Another amendment, introduced by Rep. Jerry
Nadler (D-NY) that would have allowed grandparents or
adult siblings who carried minors across state lines to
be exempted, was also rejected by a 16-11 vote in
committee.
Nadler has been a vocal opponent of HR
476, saying, “It would also allow a father who raped his
daughter to sue anyone who helped her deal with the
consequences of his crime, because in the words of this
bill, his rights have been violated.” Nadler has also
suggested that the bill may violate the principle of
federalism. “The question is whether the people of one
state should be able to set the policy for people of
other states,” said Nadler. “The federal government
should not enable one state to hold another state’s
citizens hostage.” The fate of the Child Custody
Protection Act now rests with the Senate.
 OR 
Feminist.org: Your daily source for the feminist
perspective on national and global events.
Media Resources: CQ Daily Monitor, 4/17/02;
Associated Press, 4/17/02; Reuters Health, 3/21/02;
Center for Reproductive Law and Policy Press Release,
3/20/02 |
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