After the Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday, 24th June, to overturn Roe v. Wade, current and former lawmakers reacted to the end of Americans’ Constitutional right to an abortion.
The ruling had been anticipated since the Supreme Court took the Dobbs v. Jackson case this year. A leak of the decision last month showed a 6-3 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, similar to the final ruling.
The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, which eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.
Here’s what lawmakers said about the decision
1. Gov. Greg Abbott praises Texas’s investment in alternatives for abortion
In addition to praising the Supreme Court’s ruling, Texas Governor Greg Abbott highlighted the millions of dollars funds he has set aside for supporting “women’s healthcare and expectant mothers.”
Texas has some of the most stringent abortion rules in the country, which forbid the procedure once a heartbeat is found. This typically happens within the sixth week of pregnancy, before one may even know they’re pregnant.
Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – “One of the darkest days our country has ever seen”
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called today’s ruling the result of electing MAGA Republicans.
“Today is one of the darkest days our country has ever seen,” he said. “Millions upon millions of American women are having their rights taken away from them by five unelected Justices on the extremist MAGA court,” he added.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi states Dems will fight ‘ferociously’ to enshrine Roe
Speaker Nancy Pelosi stated that the decision of the US Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade is “outrageous and heart-wrenching” and vowed to oppose it in Congress and at the polls.
“Because of Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, the Republican Party, and their supermajority on the Supreme Court, American women today have less freedom than their mothers,” she said.
“A woman’s right to choose is on the ballot in November,” she added.
Hillary Clinton: “A step backward for women’s rights“
Former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton tweeted that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn “will live in infamy” as a step back for women’s rights.
“Most Americans believe the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there is, and that such decisions should remain between patients and their doctors,” she tweeted.
She also urged the people to support and donate to the Democratic candidates in order to protect reproductive rights by winning elections at “every level.”
Former Vice President Mike Pence called for ending abortions in all the states
Former Vice President Mike Pence, who happens to be contemplating a presidential run in 2024, called for ending abortions in all the states.
He praised the Supreme Court for the overturning, stating, “Having been given this second chance for life, we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center for American law in every state in the land.”
In his statement, he said, “it is incumbent on all who cherish the sanctity of life to resolve that we will take the defense of the unborn and support for women in crisis pregnancy centers to every state in America.”
Former President Barack Obama suggests protesting and volunteering
Former President Barack Obama stated via a tweet:
“Today, the Supreme Court not only reversed nearly 50 years of precedent, it relegated the most intensely personal decision someone can make to the whims of politicians and idealogues–attacking the essential freedom of millions of Americans.”
In his prior statement and tweets, Obama urged the Americans upset over the decision to “join with activists who’ve been sounding the alarm on abortion access for years– and react.”