President Obama issued a statement celebrating "a woman’s freedom to make her own choices" Thursday on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
"Forty-two years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Roe v. Wade," Obama's statement begins, "a decision that protects a woman’s freedom to make her own choices about her body and her health, and reaffirms a fundamental American value: that government should not intrude in our most private and personal family matters."
Obama's statement celebrating abortion comes as thousands of protestors gathered on the National Mall to protest the Roe decision. Pope Francis tweeted his support for the marchers earlier today.
You can read Obama's full statement below:
Forty-two years ago today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its ruling in Roe v. Wade, a decision that protects a woman’s freedom to make her own choices about her body and her health, and reaffirms a fundamental American value: that government should not intrude in our most private and personal family matters.
I am deeply committed to protecting this core constitutional right, and I believe that efforts like H.R. 7, the bill the House considered today, would intrude on women's reproductive freedom and access to health care and unnecessarily restrict the private insurance choices that consumers have today. The federal government should not be injecting itself into decisions best made between women, their families, and their doctors. I am also deeply committed to continuing our work to reduce unintended pregnancies, support maternal and child health, promote adoptions, and minimize the need for abortion.
Today, as we reflect on this critical moment in our history, may we all rededicate ourselves to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons.
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