"Senate G.O.P. Holds Firm as Vote on Abortion Nears" (news article, March 13) notes that as part of the debate over so-called partial-birth abortion, the Senate voted on a nonbinding resolution reaffirming that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land and that it should not be overturned. The resolution was endorsed in a 52-to-46 vote.

Not discussed was one of the most interesting nuances of the larger abortion debate going on in Congress. If only the women in the Senate had voted, the resolution would have passed 13 to 1. Ninety-three percent of the women in the Senate voted to uphold the law of the land, including the support of four Republicans.

The message from this debate is simple: when women hold office, overwhelmingly choice is protected. This is a message that pro-choice voters should keep in mind as we gear up for the next election.
MAT YOUNG
Washington, March 13, 2003

3/17/03:11:05:25 PM PST    comment