Clement on Roe and Privacy

Clement's comments in answer to written questions on privacy and Roe before the Senate Judiciary Committee during confirmation hearings for the appeals court: Question: "Do you believe the Constitution contemplates a 'right to privacy'?" Answer: "Yes, as I stated in my responses to the follow-up questions asked by Senator Kohl, I do believe that the Constitution contemplates a right to privacy. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the Constitution encompasses a right to privacy." Question:" Do you believe the constitutional right to privacy encompasses a woman's right to have an abortion?" Answer: "The Supreme Court has clearly held that the right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution includes the right to have an abortion. The cases handed down by the Supreme Court on the right to abortion have reaffirmed and redefined this right, and the law is settled in that regard. If confirmed, I will faithfully apply Supreme Court...

By Fred Barbash | July 19, 2005; 05:06 PM ET | Comments (8)