High Court Justice Says Right to Abortion Nowhere in Constitution
During a visit to law students at Roger Williams University this week, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said that the right to an abortion exists no where in the constitution.
"The reality is the constitution doesn't address the subject at all," he said Monday, according to LifeNews.com.
The court justice reportedly used the opportunity to slam what he referred to as the increasing trend to interpret the constitution as a "living" document, allowing for "the right to abortion to be the law from coast to coast, now and forever."
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The constitution is neither a liberal or conservative document, and is only meant to be interpreted as the original founding fathers intended, Scalia argued.
"You want the right to abortion? Create it the way most rights are created in a democracy. Persuade your fellow citizens it's a good idea – and pass a law," he said, according to The Associated Press.
Scalia pointed out that the Senate, which confirmed him by a vote of 98-0 in 1986, would have difficulty confirming him today because constitutional "originalists" like himself were increasingly being abandoned in favor of justices who prescribe to single ideologies.
"The most important thing is whether this person will write the new constitution that you like," he said, decrying the current confirmation process of Supreme Court justices.
The court justice reminded his audience that abortion was mentioned no where in the constitution, and that it was an issue for citizens and legislators to decide, not the courts.
"If you want the right to an abortion, persuade your fellow citizens it's a good idea and pass a law. If you feel the other way, repeal the law," he said, according to LifeNews.com.
The visit by Scalia this week to Roger Williams University law students was part of what is called a "Supreme Semester" – an opportunity for students to meet and talk with Supreme Court justices.
As part of the program, the students will meet with Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito next week in Washington, D.C.
