Senator Dina Titus Says Alito Confirmation Jeopardizes Women's Rights

Press Release

Sen. Dina Titus, a long-time advocate of women's rights, said the confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court today will have a chilling effect on all women.

"While Nevada's abortion statute was locked in with the Question 7 initiative in 1991, it can be eroded in a piecemeal fashion," Titus said. "Without a governor to resist that, women will lose their right to privacy and their right to choose."

Titus, the only pro-choice Democratic candidate for governor, believes the confirmation of Alito is the beginning of an assault on personal rights. Titus said the most recent example is a move by some pharmacists to deny prescription drugs, like the "morning-after pill" if they disagree with their use.

Titus' Democratic opponent, Jim Gibson, has already stated he is troubled by Roe v. Wade and has said he would only uphold a woman's right to choose under severe circumstances.

"Jim Gibson has said he will impose his will and personal views on women," Titus said. "I do not know a single person who likes abortion. Whenever it is an option, there is always a tragedy involved. That kind of personal, intimate, and difficult decision should be made by a woman with her doctor, her family, and her God; it should not be made in the halls of government."

Alito, who authored a legal strategy in the 1980's to overturn Roe v. Wade, has been described as one of the most controversial conservative nominees since Richard Bork. Alito will replace U.S. Supreme Court Judge Sandra Day O'Connor, who often voted in favor of individual rights.

"As I have said many times, government needs to do what it does best: educate our kids, lock up the bad guys, provide needed services, and then get out of the way," Titus said.

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