"Today, House lawmakers endorsed a deceptive bill that jeopardizes women's health by voting to override President Clinton's veto of H.R. 1122, the ‘partial birth abortion' bill. By doing so, the majority of the United States House of Representatives voted to reinstate a law when its state versions have been deemed unconstitutional by 17 federal and state courts. The Center for Reproductive Rights denounces the action by the House of Representatives as disrespectful of Constitutional principles and a violation of women's rights.

"Seventeen courts have determined that ‘partial birth abortion' laws have significant defects that render them unconstitutional. Conservative and moderate judges have found similar state laws to be written so broadly that they could outlaw the most common abortion procedures used at every stage of pregnancy, including the first trimester. These same statutes have been found to be so vague that the statute's language does not give doctors and women sufficient notice as to what procedures are subject to criminal prosecution. Several courts have recognized that ‘partial birth abortion' is not a medical term, but a purely political one devised by anti-choice activists.

"Ideologically-driven proponents of the bill have deceived the public by arguing that ‘partial birth abortion' bans apply to a limited set of circumstances. In reality, the scope of this criminal law is such that it can apply to the most common and safest abortion methods at any point in pregnancy. Such ideology does not represent America. The majority of Americans believe abortion should be legal.

" ‘Partial birth abortion' laws are unconstitutional. Unknown to the medical community. The result of this stealth campaign will be to recklessly endanger women's health. Lawmakers are sworn to uphold and protect the Constitution, not to knowingly pass measures that do not meet constitutional standards. It is shameful that the U.S. House of Representatives, using misleading tactics and rhetoric, has sacrificed the Constitution for short-term political gain. I am hopeful that the voices of women, their medical providers, and reason will reach the Senate before undertaking a vote on this measure."

Janet Benshoof is the president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, a legal advocacy organization, which has filed 15 challenges to "partial birth abortion" bans.