Future of Roe v Wade in Question with Alito Nomination

By Laura Vogltanz

Published on January 24, 2006

In a few days, the Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to approve the nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court. Alito has declined to discuss the issue of abortion, though he has disagreed with democrats in calling it a "settled law." If Alito is nominated to replace O'Connor, the Court will tilt in a more conservative direction on the controversial issue.

This historical case, decided on January 22, 1973, held that laws against abortion violate the constitutional right to privacy. Over the years, the Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld the Roe ruling, though none of the current justices were sitting when Roe was decided. The addition of Alito could provide a fourth vote against the Roe precedent among the nine justices.

Abortion supporters and opponents agree that this could be the first step in a major change in U.S. abortion laws, but they doubt the nomination of Alito will be enough to overturn Roe.

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