Many people across party and ideological lines have spoken out against anti-abortion violence in the wake of Dr. George Tiller’s murder. Recently, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) wrote a resolution to condemn violence against providers of women’s health care services. It was co-sponsored by forty-three other senators, including Senators Kerry and Kennedy.
However, this resolution was anonymously blocked by senator(s) yesterday. They objected to the resolution based on its language, as they wanted to eliminate references to women’s reproductive health care.
The resolution doesn’t ask any member of the Senate to change his or her position on abortion. It just reiterates a core American value that, even on issues where there is intense debate, violence is never an option.
It is clearly a sad day when our nation’s leaders cannot even agree to stand up to domestic terrorism, no matter the context.
We must work together to create a supportive environment for reproductive health care providers here in Massachusetts. There can be no compromise on people’s safety.
