| Senate Vote Increases Risks for Young People |
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26 Jul 2006 Choice USA Outraged with Senate Vote Against Teen Safety FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEJuly 26, 2006 CONTACT: Rebecca Wiegand (o) 202-965-7700 (m) 202-427-7450 WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the US Senate voted against the health and well-being of young people by passing the misleadingly named Child Custody Protection Act (CCPA). The effect of the bill will federally criminalize, fine, and jail family, friends, and trusted adults in a young person’s life if they help them seek an abortion across state lines without parental notification. Sixty-five members of the Senate voted in support of the legislation. Crystal Plati, Executive Director of Choice USA, issued the following statement: “Young people need the guidance of trusted adults in their lives to make responsible and healthy decisions for their futures. In a perfect world, every young woman would discuss their pregnancy with a parent prior to seeking medical care. Often, though, a young woman can’t rely on her parents because of strained relationships, abuse, incest and parental neglect and abandonment.” “This CCPA’s passage will only push young women to opt for illegal means to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. This legislation will lead the most vulnerable young women to risky alternatives that will not likely favor their health and well-being. This bill not only endangers young women but it will turn grandparents, aunts, and teachers into criminals.” Similar legislation was previously passed in the US House of Representatives so the differences between the two bills will need to be reconciled in conference before it will go to the President for approval. Choice USA will work against either bill from becoming law. # # #
Choice USA mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future. We are dedicated to the right of each person worldwide to decide when and if they will have sex, when and if they will be pregnant, and when and if they will have a child. In order to make those personal decisions, accurate information and safe, legal reproductive health services must be available to everyone.
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