The Pro-Life Action League applauds President George W. Bush for nominating conservative Judge Samuel A. Alito, Jr. to the Supreme Court. “Judge Alito is a a brilliant jurist who understands the proper role of the judiciary,” commented League National Director Joe Scheidler. “His presence on the Supreme Court will be a sure sign of hope for pro-lifers.”
While sitting on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, Judge Alito cast the sole dissenting vote in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, arguing that a Pennsylvania law requiring women seeking abortions to inform their husbands should have been upheld.
The late Chief Justice William Rehnquist’s dissent from the Supreme Court’s 1992 decision striking down the spousal notification provision of the law quoted Judge Alito’s dissent and expressed support for his reasoning.
Scheidler remarked, “Samuel Alito would help to stem the tide of judicial activism that has done great damage to our country. I urge all advocates for life to stand strongly behind his nomination.”
President Bush has called for an up-or-down vote on the Alito nomination before the end of 2005, making it unlikely that he will be on the bench on November 30 when NOW v. Scheidler returns to the Supreme Court for an unprecedented third time.