Attorney General Refusal to Provide Roberts Documents Impedes Nomination Process

Planned Parenthood Voices Outrage, Growing Alarm at Attempts to Hide Record

New York, NY — Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today expressed outrage at the Bush administration's refusal to provide documents requested by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee, related to Judge John Roberts's time in the Office of the Solicitor General.

"This is an outrageous decision and one that raises the question, what are they trying to hide?" said Karen Pearl, PPFA interim president. "Vetting life-time appointments to the nation's highest court is a critical Senate duty, and the Bush administration is impeding the nomination process by denying access to crucial information. The American people deserve to know where Judge Roberts stands on critical issues and the Senate cannot confirm him without full access to his records, especially on important matters including women's health and safety and Americans' privacy rights."

"Though Planned Parenthood has not taken a position on the Roberts nomination thus far, we have expressed grave and serious concerns about this nominee and believe it critical for the Senate to fully investigate his position on crucial issues that affect our everyday lives. The refusal to provide these documents is an ominous sign, one that creates growing alarm about the Roberts nomination," added Pearl.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.