Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, the nation’s leading pro-choice legal voice, today released the following statement in response to the resignation of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor:

"Since 1992, when Sandra Day O’Connor joined the majority opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, she has been an important voice in the Supreme Court on protecting women’s health. Her vote in the close 5-4 Stenberg v. Carhart decision (2000) held the line for women’s reproductive privacy and decision-making. The next justice confirmed to the Court will make crucial decisions about the futures of our children and our grandchildren. To date, not one of George W. Bush’s judicial nominations to the lower courts has gone on record defending women’s reproductive rights--and worse, some have been openly hostile. If his prior nominations are any indication of the President’s plans for the nation’s highest court, reproductive rights are in grave trouble.

No matter whom he chooses, the public deserves a full and open discussion of nominees’ views on the major issues of the day, including women’s reproductive health. Our Senate Judiciary Committee must fulfill its duty by carefully evaluating nominees before granting lifetime tenure on the nation’s highest court. They need to vote with eyes wide open. If they don’t, it’s a game of Russian roulette."

Learn more about The U.S. Supreme Court and Roe v. Wade