Democratic governors are rushing to reassure the public that abortion would always be legal in their states amid the leaked SCOTUS draft opinion suggesting the court is poised to take down Roe versus Wade.
The Supreme Court’s bombshell bill hasn’t been upheld yet, but if it does, it paves the way for states to enact their own rules on abortion.
26 Republican-led states are likely to either ban abortion outright or impose severe restrictions if confirmed. Some, like Texas and Mississippi, have almost banned abortion.
SCOTUS is rushing to find the leak, and Republicans are ranting that it was meant to create the uproar it has and hopefully dissuade the court from confirming it.
President Biden has vowed to sign abortion rights into law if Roe v. Wade is lifted.
Meanwhile, Democratic governors are rushing to promise that no matter what the Supreme Court does, they will always allow abortion in their states.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom tweeted that he would enshrine abortion rights in the California constitution.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz both pledged to protect abortion rights in their states
“California will not stand by as women across America are deprived of their rights and the progress that so many have fought for is undone. We will fight.
“California is proposing an amendment to enshrine voting rights in our state constitution so that there is no question about abortion rights in this state.
“We know we cannot trust the Supreme Court to protect our reproductive rights, so California will put a firewall around that right in our state constitution.
BIDEN SOLVED TO LEGAL ABOUT RIGHTS IF ROE V. WADE IS TIPPED
President Biden released this statement this morning following the SCOTUS leak.
We do not know if this draft is genuine or if it reflects the Court’s final decision. With that critical caveat, I want to clarify three points about the Supreme Court cases.
First, my government argued strongly in court in defense of Roe v. Calf. We said that Roe is based on “a long body of precedent recognizing the Fourteenth Amendment concept of personal liberty … against government interference in deeply personal choices.”
I believe that a woman’s right to vote is fundamental, Roe has been the law of the country for nearly fifty years, and the fundamental fairness and stability of our law demands that it not be overturned.
Second, shortly after the passage of Texas SB 8 and other laws restricting women’s reproductive rights, I directed my Gender Policy Council and the White House Office to prepare options for a government response to the ongoing assault on abortion and reproductive rights of the possible outcomes in the cases pending before the Supreme Court. We will be ready when a verdict is made.
Third, if the court overthrows Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose. And it will fall to voters to elect pro-choice officials in November.
At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice senators and a pro-choice majority in the House of Representatives to pass legislation codifying Roe, which I will work to pass and sign.’
“Women remain protected here.”
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul tweeted: “I refuse to let my new granddaughter fight for the rights that generations have fought and won, rights that should be guaranteed to her.
“For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms.
“Abortion will always be safe and accessible in New York.
“New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected.
“Like the Statue of Liberty raising her lantern high in our harbor, New York will never stop fighting for what is right – undaunted and undeterred.”
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said: “A really dark day in America with the news that the Supreme Court voted to convict Roe v. to fall Wade.
“This year I signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act – which codifies a woman’s right to choose into state law. New Jersey will not back down on reproductive rights.
“I want to assure every resident of New Jersey that today’s news about the Supreme Court will not change access to abortion in our state. Access to reproductive health care remains available to anyone who needs it in New Jersey.
At least 22 states have laws on the books that would go into effect once the decision is officially adopted.
The organization also identified four other states that it expects to enact new abortion bans in the near future, marking a total of 26 states that appear poised to ban the procedures
The 18 states that already have a near-total abortion ban are Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia, and Wisconsin Wyoming.
In addition, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and South Carolina have laws prohibiting abortions after the six-week mark.
At the time of writing, these six-week bans have been ruled unconstitutional.
Florida, Indiana, Montana and Nebraska are likely to pass bills if Roe v Wade is quashed.
Florida already has a 15-week abortion ban that will go into effect in July 2022.
The law makes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
“An exception exists if the patient’s health is at risk.
Signing the law into law, Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement, “Life is a sacred gift worthy of our protection and I am proud to sign this magnificent law into law, which represents the most important protection for life in the modern age state represents history.’
But Republicans say the far left is trying to overthrow the Supreme Court, the highest in the country.
On Tuesday, Mitch McConnell urged SCOTUS to “tune out the noise” with its decision and advise further.