Bush Restates His Belief That Roe vs. Wade Should Be Reversed

In his first extensive remarks on the issue since the Supreme Court on Monday reaffirmed a woman’s right to obtain an abortion, President Bush on Wednesday reiterated his belief that Roe vs. Wade should be overturned.

He said, however, that he would not make a Supreme Court nominee’s position on abortion a “litmus test” for a seat on the high court.

Shortly after Bush plunged back into one of the most controversial issues in the political campaign, the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee moved swiftly to approve, 12 to 4, a bill that would prevent states from placing significant restrictions on abortion before a fetus becomes viable.

The measure, called the Freedom of Choice Act, closely resembles legislation approved, 20 to 13, Tuesday by the House Judiciary Committee. Some form of the bill is expected to be approved by both chambers later this summer.

Initially, Monday’s court decision was greeted by Bush as support for his anti-abortion position. Even though it upheld the 1973 Roe decision, which said that states could not prohibit a woman from obtaining an abortion, it also upheld a Pennsylvania law establishing certain limits on the procedure.

The abortion issue has been a difficult one for Bush throughout his career, and he has shifted his position on it, adopting his current stance--the strict opposition that former President Ronald Reagan espoused--in the 1980 campaign, when Bush was Reagan’s running mate.

Yet in a question-and-answer session with White House visitors and network television interviewers Wednesday morning, Bush said: “My position is well known on abortion, I think. It’s a tough issue for everybody in this country, but I favor the right to life.”

He was questioned by Paula Zahn and Harry Smith on the CBS program “This Morning,” which was broadcast live from the White House.

“So . . . no . . , I am not in favor of Roe-Wade, and I would like to see a decision go the other way on it,” Bush said.