After initially vowing to sign the Freedom of Choice Act, President Barack Obama quickly said it's not his "highest legislative priority."
That was in March 2009. Since then, it has scarcely been mentioned. A version of the bill was last introduced in Congress in 2007, and no new bill has appeared since.
We asked NARAL Pro-Choice America, an abortion rights group, to assess the progress on this issue.
"The protection of Roe v. Wade in federal law remains a long-term priority for NARAL Pro-Choice America and the pro-choice community. Unfortunately, the composition of Congress (including the first two years of President Obama's term) did not include enough pro-choice votes to pass legislation like the Freedom of Choice Act," NARAL said in a statement.
NARAL cited other efforts by Obama which the organization views as achievements in reproductive rights, such as rescinding the global gag rule and signing legislation fixing the price of birth control at safety net health centers.
Still, the Freedom of Choice Act has all but disappeared. We rate this a Promise Broken.
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← Back to Sign the Freedom of Choice Act
Nothing to sign; bill has fizzled
Our Sources
THOMAS.gov, Library of Congress website
Email interview with Ted Miller, NARAL Prochoice America, May 30, 2012