The ideological offensive against women's rights today is thoroughly bipartisan. The bill that passed was attributed to Republican Senator Rick Santorum. Two other bills attacking abortion rights failed in Congress this spring, both sponsored by liberal Democrats - Tom Daschle in one case and Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer in the other. Both of the Democratic-sponsored bills would ban abortions after the fetus reached "viability," with exceptions only to protect the mental and physical well- being of the woman.
Class-conscious workers and other supporters of women's rights should reject the argument that so-called viability has anything to do with the right to choose. The Daschle and Feinstein bills, like the ban on D&E abortions, are aimed at shifting the issue from that of a woman's right to control her body to one of "fetal rights."
The ability to decide when and if to have children is essential to the fight for women's equality. That's why the right to choose abortion became a central demand of the women's liberation movement in the early 1970s. The political campaign in Washington and state capitals across the country today is aimed at reversing the majority support for abortion rights that was conquered in that fight, laying the ground to roll back other gains women have fought for - including affirmative action, higher pay, and jobs in traditionally all-male industries.
These attacks can be pushed back, but only if they're taken on and answered publicly, through picket lines, forums, speak-outs, and other actions. Protest the assaults on women's rights! Defend the right to choose abortion!