Abortion

Both sides of the abortion debate are expecting a stridently pro-abortion-rights agenda from Obama in his second term.

The day after President Obama's second inauguration marked another historic milestone — the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the historic Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Abortion-rights supporters heralded the day as a landmark for women's rights and healthcare, while opponents took the opportunity to reiterate their strong desire to overturn the decision.

"Someday, future generations will look back on America and wonder how and why such a seemingly enlightened society ... could have failed to protect the innocent and inconvenient," Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) said at a news conference Tuesday.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.), meanwhile, vowed to fight GOP efforts to restrict abortion access at the state level.

“Today, we reaffirm our commitment to these same values and pledge to preserve the right to choose," Pelosi said in a statement. "We promise to fight any and every effort to chip away at the hard-won freedoms of America’s women, and protect women’s health. We believe the most private decision for a woman is when and whether to have a child, and we stand ready to keep that decision out of the hands of politicians."

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Republicans and Democrats were tweeting at cross purposes on Tuesday for the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. 

On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Smith called the judicial decision "infamous, reckless and inhumane."

Seven in 10 adults say the Supreme Court should not overturn its landmark decision establishing abortion rights, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC poll.

That is the highest level of support for Roe v. Wade in the poll's 24 years of tracking the question. Only about one in four said the court should overturn its verdict.

The survey was released late Monday, on the eve of Roe's 40th anniversary. 

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By a narrow margin, the country sides with Democrats on abortion, according to a new poll from the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.

The survey found a broad sentiment that abortion is morally wrong, combined with a strong belief that it should remain legal.

Forty-one percent of respondents said the Democratic party best represents their views on abortion, compared with 36 percent who said their views are best represented by Republicans.

Neither John Boehner nor Eric Cantor will take the podium at this year's "March for Life," a major anti-abortion-rights protest marking the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

The Republican Speaker and House Majority Leader both addressed the crowds in person at least year's event.

This time, Boehner (Ohio) will deliver a pre-recorded video address, while there are no plans for Cantor (Va.) to speak, either in person or via video link, according to a list of participating lawmakers. 

One of the most prominent abortion-rights groups in the United States, NARAL Pro-Choice America, hired a new president Monday. NARAL announced that Ilyse Hogue will be taking over the reins of the organization once Nancy Keenan steps down after the upcoming 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

Hogue's background is in politics, not specifically the abortion-tights movement — she's worked at MoveOn.Org and Media Matters for America, and came to NARAL after helping to start an organization that supports campaign finance reform.

Healthwatch has the story. 

And, in case you missed it, here's our interview with Keenan from last month.

Support: Planned Parenthood praised Hogue's selection.

"She brings fresh perspective and energy to the fight for access to safe and legal abortion as we mark the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and face continued battles in many states across the country.  We look forward to our continued close partnership with NARAL Pro-Choice America under her leadership, especially as we work to cultivate the next generation of leaders," Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards said in a statement.

So did EMILY's List.

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NARAL Pro-Choice America — one of the country's most powerful abortion-rights advocates — named Ilyse Hogue its new president Monday.

Hogue will replace Nancy Keenan, who decided to step aside for a younger leader who could mobilize women born after the Supreme Court's historic Roe v. Wade decision.

Hogue previously helped found a super-PAC that promotes campaign finance reform. She has also worked for MoveOn.org and the liberal media watchdog Media Matters for America.