Senate Confirms Trump’s Anti-Reproductive Health Attorney General William Barr

Barr has demonstrated throughout decades-long career that he will work to dismantle reproductive rights 

“In 2018, voters resoundingly voted in a pro-reproductive health care majority in Congress. More Trump appointees with anti-abortion records are not what people want.” 

WASHINGTON — Today, the full U.S. Senate voted to confirm Trump’s nominee for attorney general, William Barr. Barr’s past record and statements make clear that he does not believe in the constitutional right to safe, legal abortion and opposes the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Furthermore, during Barr’s two-day confirmation hearing in January, he evaded questions on whether he’d protect access to standard health care — including the right to abortion as recognized in Roe v. Wade.

Statement from Dr. Leana Wen, President, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

“A vote to confirm William Barr as attorney general today ignores the health and rights of the American people. As the nation’s chief law enforcer, Barr could choose to ignore a woman’s right to safe, legal abortion in this country when — not if — an abortion case comes before the Supreme Court. As a doctor, I have to look at the data — William Barr has said he thinks Roe v. Wade should be overturned and when given a chance to clarify during his hearing, he dodged additional questions. I am deeply concerned that Barr will use his power to block our patients’ ability to access standard health care, including safe, legal abortion.Last November, voters turned out in record numbers to elect officials who will protect their access to health care. This is not what people want, and Congress must do better for the people who elected them.”

Statement from Dana Singiser, Senior Vice President for Policy, Campaigns and Advocacy, Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“We deserve an attorney general who will defend our most fundamental rights and access to health care. The Senate is not only ignoring the American people by confirming anti-reproductive health nominees like Barr, but plans to confirm even more extreme cabinet and judicial nominees with a proposed rule change that will erase an important check on the administration and prevent full vetting of lifetime appointments and high-ranking administrative positions. We must keep fighting against these blatantly partisan rule changes in order to protect everyone’s rights and access to the health care they want and need.”  

BACKGROUND ON WILLIAM BARR:

 During his confirmation hearing, Barr dodged questions on health care again and again:

• On Roe v. Wade: William Barr refused to directly answer if he would defend Roe v. Wade if confirmed as attorney general. Instead of answering, he evaded the question, simply stating his solicitor general “would make whatever arguments are necessary to address that.”  This completely sidesteps the question and fails to account for how he, as attorney general, would direct the solicitor general on the matter.
• On the Affordable Care Act (ACA): The Trump-Pence administration’s previous attorney general, Jeff Sessions, refused to defend most of the ACA in court. During the hearing, Barr was asked if he would continue to push Sessions’ agenda or reverse it and defend the ACA and its protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Barr dodged by saying he would review the previous department’s decision, giving Americans no confidence that they will be able to continue accessing lifesaving, affordable health care.

While Barr refused to give a straight answer, his record says all we need to know. When he served as attorney general under George H.W. Bush, Barr:

• Stated under oath, during his confirmation hearings, “I do not believe the right to privacy extends to abortion.... Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided and should be overruled.”
• Sent a letter to the Senate opposing the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), the legislation that would have codified Roe into law.
• Used the rhetoric of the anti-abortion movement, like “abortion on demand,” in letters to members of Congress.

The attorney general, as head of the Department of Justice, is charged with protecting and enforcing our nation’s laws, including a woman’s constitutional right to abortion and the ability to access health care. It is concerning that in 2011, Barr joined other former Republican attorneys general on an amicus brief in opposition to the ACA in the Commonwealth of Virginia v. Sebelius in which they argued that Congress sought to coerce healthy patients into the insurance market through the ACA and that the law was unconstitutional. Additionally, if an abortion case comes before the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court could ask the Department of Justice for the federal government’s opinion. Barr has already stated that he believes Roe v. Wade “does not have any constitutional underpinnings” and “the Roe v. Wade opinion will fall.” Right now, there are 16 abortion cases that are only one step away from the Supreme Court.

###

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.

Planned Parenthood Action Fund is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit membership organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. The Action Fund engages in educational, advocacy and electoral activity, including grassroots organizing, legislative advocacy, and voter education.