Roe v. Wade: The decision we all think we know

Published: 2006-03-03

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Since it's been the law of the land for 33 years, everybody knows what the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on abortion says, right? And we all know what we think about it, right? Wrong and wrong, according to witnesses at an oversight hearing held March 2 by the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on the Constitution. Most Americans don't understand the full scope of Roe v. Wade, and don't support it when they find out what it really says, the witnesses said. And most underestimate the deep and lasting wounds that the decision has caused for women, for families and for U.S. society at large. "There remains a great misunderstanding by the public as to the real scope of Roe v. Wade, a misunderstanding that is exhibited in polling questions stating that Roe protects a right to an abortion in only the first three months of pregnancy," said Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Ohio, who convened the hearing as chairman of the Constitution subcommittee. "In fact, Roe is much more sweeping."

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