Orlando NOW Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senator Bill Nelson Mistakenly Votes for CCPA Endangering the Lives of Young Girls
Statement of Orlando National Organization for Women

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Tuesday evening the U.S. Senate joined with their House colleagues in passing their version of legislation that will endanger the health and lives of many young women, or make felons out of their trusted relatives and clergy. This legislation is misleadingly entitled the “Child Custody Protection Act,” which is more appropriately called the “Teen Endangerment Act.” Florida’s Democratic Senator, Bill Nelson, shocking voted in favor of this measure.

The Teen Endangerment Act, S. 403 and H.R. 748, will make it a federal crime to accompany a minor (in states where parental notification or consent laws are in force) — even a granddaughter, niece or sister — who is obtaining an abortion in a nearby state (even if that is the nearest clinic), thus making criminals of friends and family members helping teens who are unable to involve a parent in their decision.

On Sunday, July 30, 2006, Orlando NOW Activists asked Senator Nelson, in person, why he voted for this act, thus putting young women’s lives at risk. Sen. Nelson told elected NOW Orlando President, Jenna Cawley that he supports parental notification but opposes parental consent. Ms. Cawley repeatedly asked why he supported a bill which does not allow minors to escape consent requirements if he believes they are unjust and he stated to Ms. Cawley that the CCPA enforces notification laws only and not consent laws and that Ms. Cawley should “go back and read the act again,” because it only enforces parental notification.

Orlando NOW demands that Senator Bill Nelson apologize for mistakenly voting for this detrimental legislation. It is clear that Senator Nelson did not understand what he was voting for when he put young women’s lives at risk. We ask that Senator Nelson vow to uphold a woman’s right to choose in the future, and further ask that he consult NOW officers prior to voting on issues which are critical to women’s health.

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Contact: Jenna Cawley, 407-970-7263

For more information, please visit www.noworlando.org.

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