Massachusetts political leaders are speaking out about Friday's U.S. Supreme Court opinion overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision on abortion.
“In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v Wade, it is especially important to ensure that Massachusetts providers can continue to provide reproductive health care services without concern that the laws of other states may be used to interfere with those services or sanction them for providing services that are lawful in the Commonwealth,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement.
The court issued its 5-4 ruling Friday morning, which followed the draft opinion leaked last month that hinted the court would be striking down the nearly 50-year-old decision establishing a constitutional right to abortion.
In the majority ruling, Justice Samuel Alito wrote: "Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division.” Alito’s comment refers to Planned Parenthood vs. Casey, a 1992 Supreme Court ruling that upheld Roe v. Wade.
Governor Baker signed an executive order on Friday protecting access to reproductive health care services.
“I am deeply disappointed in (Friday's) decision by the Supreme Court, which will have major consequences for women across the country who live in states with limited access to reproductive health care services,” Gov. Baker said.
Members of Massachusetts’ congressional district were quick to weigh in. Rep. Jim McGovern took to Twitter on Friday, saying, “The GOP isn't even hiding their radical, far-right, extremist agenda anymore.They're coming for same-sex marriage next. And LGBTQ rights. And birth control. And the right to privacy. Where will they stop? The rights of all women—and all Americans—are on the ballot in November.”
Rep. Ayanna Pressley tweeted, “We will never stop fighting to affirm what we know is true: abortion care is a fundamental human right.”
On Twitter, Sen. Ed Markey said, “Thirteen states stand poised to enforce radical and unjust bans on abortion. The Court’s decision has destroyed nearly fifty years of precedent and will allow the criminalization of the right to this essential healthcare. Again, I ask my colleagues in the Senate what other judicial outrage must we endure from the illegitimate, far-right majority on the Supreme Court before we act? Fight back and expand the Court now.”
Friday’s ruling allows states to decide their own abortion laws. About half the states are expected to impose abortion bans, with 13 having so-called “trigger laws” in place for near bans to go into effect in the event Roe was overturned.