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CNN Live At Daybreak
New Abortion Law
Aired November 06, 2003 - 06:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Turning to a contentious issue in this country now: abortion. President Bush has signed a bill banning a controversial late-term abortion procedure, but already there is a new challenge.
Live now to Washington and our Jennifer Coggiola -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.
Speaking at the federal Reagan Building yesterday, before signing that bill the president, somewhat emotional at times, promised to vigorously uphold this law, and also gave his own personal opinions on the abortion debate.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): A victory for abortion opponents Wednesday.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child.
COGGIOLA: President Bush signed the so-called Partial-Birth Abortion Act, the first federal limit on any type of abortion in three decades.
BUSH: This right to life cannot be granted or denied by government.
COGGIOLA: But the issue didn't end when the ink hit the paper. Within hours, a federal judge in Nebraska blocked the law from applying to four doctors in his state, who had argued that the new ban doesn't include an exception for the health of the mother.
The Justice Department responded immediately in a formal statement saying it's -- quote: "Vigorously opposed to the injunction and would do everything necessary to defend the law."
At least two other groups have filed suit in federal courts to block the ban, arguing it's not only unconstitutional, taking away a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy as granted in Roe v. Wade, but also...
VICKI SAPORTA, NATIONAL ABORTION FEDERATION: Because it presents a danger to women's lives and health, and it criminalizes doctors for providing appropriate medical care to patients. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The law is unconstitutional.
COGGIOLA: Abortion opponents have argued the new bill only applies to a seldom-used procedure done late in a pregnancy, and that the mother's health is rarely a factor. The vast majority of people responding to a recent poll, 77 percent of 18 to 29 year olds and 68 percent of those over 30, say such late-term abortions should be illegal.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now, going into an election year, President Bush has been mindful of the more moderate voters on this issue. In fact, last week at a press conference he said he would not seek a total ban on abortion, because of his -- excuse me -- public opinion did not support that -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Jennifer, I'm just curious about how that bill reads. When we talk about women's health and the provision for the health of the mother, how well explained is that?
COGGIOLA: It's very intricate. Probably, you know, doctors and lawyers could sift through. But the important thing is it's not if the life of the mother is in jeopardy. It's the health. And that's been a real sticking point this week. But if her health is not in danger that's what that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COLLINS: All right, Jennifer Coggiola, thanks so much.
COGGIOLA: Yes.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
Aired November 6, 2003 - 06:05 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: Turning to a contentious issue in this country now: abortion. President Bush has signed a bill banning a controversial late-term abortion procedure, but already there is a new challenge.
Live now to Washington and our Jennifer Coggiola -- Jennifer.
JENNIFER COGGIOLA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Heidi.
Speaking at the federal Reagan Building yesterday, before signing that bill the president, somewhat emotional at times, promised to vigorously uphold this law, and also gave his own personal opinions on the abortion debate.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
COGGIOLA (voice-over): A victory for abortion opponents Wednesday.
GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child.
COGGIOLA: President Bush signed the so-called Partial-Birth Abortion Act, the first federal limit on any type of abortion in three decades.
BUSH: This right to life cannot be granted or denied by government.
COGGIOLA: But the issue didn't end when the ink hit the paper. Within hours, a federal judge in Nebraska blocked the law from applying to four doctors in his state, who had argued that the new ban doesn't include an exception for the health of the mother.
The Justice Department responded immediately in a formal statement saying it's -- quote: "Vigorously opposed to the injunction and would do everything necessary to defend the law."
At least two other groups have filed suit in federal courts to block the ban, arguing it's not only unconstitutional, taking away a woman's right to terminate her pregnancy as granted in Roe v. Wade, but also...
VICKI SAPORTA, NATIONAL ABORTION FEDERATION: Because it presents a danger to women's lives and health, and it criminalizes doctors for providing appropriate medical care to patients. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The law is unconstitutional.
COGGIOLA: Abortion opponents have argued the new bill only applies to a seldom-used procedure done late in a pregnancy, and that the mother's health is rarely a factor. The vast majority of people responding to a recent poll, 77 percent of 18 to 29 year olds and 68 percent of those over 30, say such late-term abortions should be illegal.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
Now, going into an election year, President Bush has been mindful of the more moderate voters on this issue. In fact, last week at a press conference he said he would not seek a total ban on abortion, because of his -- excuse me -- public opinion did not support that -- Heidi.
COLLINS: Jennifer, I'm just curious about how that bill reads. When we talk about women's health and the provision for the health of the mother, how well explained is that?
COGGIOLA: It's very intricate. Probably, you know, doctors and lawyers could sift through. But the important thing is it's not if the life of the mother is in jeopardy. It's the health. And that's been a real sticking point this week. But if her health is not in danger that's what that (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
COLLINS: All right, Jennifer Coggiola, thanks so much.
COGGIOLA: Yes.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com.
