With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday, politicians and groups representing the area commented on the decision.
Gov. Tom Wolf issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision:
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“First and most importantly, it is critical that everyone understands that abortion services are available and unharmed in Pennsylvania by today’s Supreme Court action. Providers may still provide reproductive health care services and patients should continue the health care plan they’ve developed with their physicians.
“Nonetheless, I am deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court opinion and the impact this decision will have nationwide. The right to bodily autonomy—and privacy as a whole—is under attack in this country. We must do more to protect the rights of women and pregnant people in every state across the country that doesn’t have a governor willing to wield their veto pen.
“As we approach a critical election cycle here in Pennsylvania, I cannot stress enough how important it is to exercise your personal right to vote. Elections matter.
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“This decision did not happen overnight. Right-wing extremists have been strategically planning to dismantle decades long decisions to further their agendas and divide our country with policies designed to infringe upon our freedoms. They have done so one vote at a time, one election at a time across our beloved nation. We cannot allow this to continue.
“Americans are feeling defeated and angry today, and I don’t blame them. However, as long as I am governor, I vow to protect abortion access and reproductive health care in Pennsylvania.
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“To women and pregnant people in surrounding states and across the country where this isn’t the case, you are safe here in the commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is the Democratic candidate for governor, issued the following statement:
“While we expected we’d face this devastating ruling — this is a tragic day for our country, as a woman’s freedom to choose now depends on the state in which she lives. Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania, but whether it remains legal depends entirely on who we elect as our next Governor.
“Our state Legislature is poised to pass a law banning abortion in Pennsylvania, and my extremist opponent Doug Mastriano would sign that bill into law as Governor. Mastriano wants to dictate how Pennsylvanians live their lives – he has said he wants to ban all abortion, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother, and that he wants to throw doctors and nurses in jail for providing reproductive health care. Mastriano wants to take away Pennsylvanians’ freedoms – the freedom to make decisions over your own body and the freedom to decide when and how to start a family.
“As Governor, I will veto any bill that restricts a woman’s right to choose. Our next Governor will decide whether abortion remains legal in our Commonwealth – I will defend the freedom of Pennsylvania women to make decisions over their own bodies.”
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State Sen. Doug Mastriano, the Republican candidate for governor, issued the following statement:
“Roe v. Wade is rightly relegated to the ash heap of history. As the abortion debate returns to the states, Pennsylvania must be prepared to lead the nation in being a voice for the voiceless.
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“While this decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a triumph for innocent life, it must not take our focus away from the key issues facing Pennsylvania families.
“Pennsylvanians will not be distracted by the hysterics of the left as they exploit this ruling to try to fulfill their far-left agenda. As they struggle with all-time record-high inflation, the people care deeply about the price of gas and groceries, as well as out-of-control crime and good-paying jobs — which is exactly why I will prioritize these issues as their governor.”
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U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat, issued the following statement:
“Today’s decision upends almost a half century of legal precedent and rips away a constitutional right that generations of women have known their entire lives. This dangerous ruling won’t end abortions in this country, but it will put women’s lives at risk. And make no mistake—this is not the end goal, it’s just the beginning. Republicans in Congress want to pass federal legislation to completely ban abortion. Our daughters and granddaughters should not grow up with fewer rights than their mothers.”
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U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, issued the below statement:
“The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization restores the American people’s ability to determine abortion laws through their elected representatives, as the Constitution requires. Precedents that are wrongly decided should be overturned, just as Brown v. Board of Education was right to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson. This ruling is a win for the unborn, the Constitution, and democratic governance.”
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, released the below statement:
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“Deciding how and when to become a mother is a decision that should always be made by a woman and her doctor — not politicians.
“If there were any doubts left about what’s at stake in this race, it became crystal clear today. The right to an abortion will be on the ballot this November in Pennsylvania.
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“I will protect abortion rights. Dr. Oz will take them away. It’s that simple.”
Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mehmet Oz issued the following statement:
“The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is to many considered controversial. I respect those with a different view, but as a heart surgeon, I’ve held the smallest of human hearts in the palm of my hand, and will defend the sanctity of life. I am relieved that protecting the lives of America’s unborn children will once again be decided by the people through their elected representatives. As we lift up life, we must focus on the needs of mothers and children, for whom this decision can be the greatest gift of all.”
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Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, a Republican, issued the following statement through his official website:
“As state legislatures across America begin to consider legislation on this extremely sensitive topic in response to today’s Supreme Court decision in Dobbs, I urge all state legislatures to always start from a place of empathy and compassion. Any legislative consideration must start with the process of seeing the world through other people’s eyes, and walking the world in other people’s shoes. Any legislative consideration must always seek to achieve bipartisan consensus that both respects a woman’s privacy and autonomy, and also respects the sanctity of human life. These principles are not mutually exclusive; both can and must be achieved.
“As a model for states to follow, a good starting point is the bipartisan, bicameral framework that I supported. In the 115th Congress, it was assigned H.R. 36, and it received bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate.
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“In our community, and across America, the vast and overwhelming majority do not support rigid, single-party, all-or-nothing solutions. The vast and overwhelming majority do not support complete legislative bans, nor do they support a legislative-absent Wild West “anything-goes” scenario that would allow for the atrocities committed by Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia. As our community, and our nation, do not support all-or-nothing approaches, nor should any representative who seeks to reflect the will of the people. The bipartisan, bicameral approach reflected in H.R. 36 is a good starting point for state legislatures across America to begin building bipartisan bridges and consensus.
“At the core of our democracy must always be the goal of building bridges, not driving wedges. This issue, as sensitive as it is, must be approached in this same manner. With empathy, with understanding, and with compassion. I urge all state legislatures, including in my own state of Pennsylvania, to follow this lead. Support two-party solutions. Reject single-party solutions. Build bridges, don’t drive wedges.”
Ashley Ehasz, the Democrat running against Fitzpatrick, released the following message and video:
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, a Democrat, issued the below statement:
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“Today, and every day, I stand in support of a women’s right to make her own reproductive decisions and that includes access to a safe and legal abortion.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization has thrown out a fundamental constitutional protection for millions of Americans — one that has existed for nearly 50 years. This is unacceptable.
The Court’s opinion today to overturn Roe v. Wade is not in line with the majority of Americans who share the view that women should have a right to pregnancy decisions.
By removing a national framework for women’s access to abortion, every state is left to determine the right to reproductive freedom. While abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania today, Republicans in our legislature will make every effort to overturn women’s reproductive rights here in the Commonwealth. We have come too far to turn back the clock now. I will continue to fight to protect women’s healthcare and defend access to abortion in the Commonwealth.”
Mark Moffa, the Democrat running for the 142nd House District, released the following statement:
With the overturning of Roe v. Wade at the U.S. Supreme Court, Republicans have continued with their extremist agenda to take away the rights of Pennsylvanians and all Americans. Abortion bans are solely designed to deny women the right to control their bodies and futures.
Growing up with a single mother, I saw how hard it was for her, and how every day she made decisions to protect our family — even if it meant she had to make personal sacrifices. The radical Republican pro-birth, anti-family agenda is a cynical and misogynistic attempt to make women second-class citizens in America. These Republicans claim to be pro-life, but do nothing to support such lives. I am appalled that Republicans have de-funded emergency baby formula and have time after time again voted against and de-funded family support mechanisms. I believe our government is meant to support our aspirations, dreams and families.
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I am outraged that people who look like me are making decisions on behalf of everyone else in our society. I am committed to protecting and advancing reproductive health, rights, and justice. I believe unequivocally that every person should have access to quality reproductive health care services, including safe and legal abortion. I maintain a goal of living in a world where people can get accurate, unbiased medical information, so they can make the best health care decisions they can for themselves and for those they love — including the decisions about abortion.
Right now in Pennsylvania, there is a joint resolution proposing an amendment to ban abortions. I’m running because we can’t give the extremist Republicans who run our legislature another vote to ban abortion. Electing me is the only way to ensure that the 142nd district has a pro-choice representative.
Ann Marie Mitchell, a Democrat, is running for state senate in the Sixth District and posted the following statement:
I am incensed and disappointed at the news that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. We hope you are taking the time to take care of yourself and your loved ones as we all process this ruling.
We do not want to return to the days when people have to put their lives at great risk over a private and deeply personal healthcare choice. While the SCOTUS news is a tragedy for people across the country, I want to remind you that the fight isn’t over.
Abortion is legal and available in Pennsylvania for the time being. That’s why I’m fighting so hard to win this race, flip this seat, and win a Democratic majority in the Senate. The balance of the State Senate this year could be the difference between abortion being outlawed or accessible in Pennsylvania.
Holding the governor’s seat is not enough. Lives hang in the balance. We know that abortions can save lives during difficult pregnancies and medical emergencies. And we know that safe abortions ensure that fewer children are left without mothers, and fewer mothers die as a result of child birth.
I will be fighting tirelessly to protect the right to choose, and that will never change. All I can ask is that you join me in that fight.
The Buck County Women’s Advocacy Coalition put out the following statement:
The Bucks County Women’s Advocacy Coalition is outraged by the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This decision defies logic, is out of touch with the reality of the lives of women and families in the US, and is far from what the American people believe or practice. Safe, legal abortion has been common in our health care system – if already not accessible for all – and the Court’s action will not make the need for it go away.
This decision is an unprecedented stripping away of rights that have protected and reaffirmed for nearly 50 years. It is a tremendous step backward for women in this country.
According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, 24 states are poised to take action immediately to prohibit abortion, and 12 states have trigger laws that are designed to outlaw abortion immediately under the fall of Roe. “This scenario will create a patchwork of abortion laws that will differ around the country, making abortion inaccessible for those who don’t have the time, resources, and especially the money needed to access abortion in states where the right is protected. This is expected to not only cause chaos, but to have the most devastating impact on people of color who are already disproportionately harmed by abortion restrictions,” said Issue Specialist Maggie Leigh Groff. Marginalized communities have already faced inequity and discrimination in health care and this will only make access more difficult.
This ruling is a dramatic departure from the previous decisions related to abortion that have relied on the “undue burden” standard – which is based on the notion that a state cannot put up roadblocks that prevent a woman from accessing an abortion. That standard has been decimated in this case, allowing for states to ban abortion completely. It is important to recognize this difference – under Roe and cases that followed, the Court recognized that abortion should be a personal choice, with reasonable restrictions aimed at protecting women’s health – this is no longer the case. This Court ruling ignores that principle and turns back the clock on fundamental rights to participate equally and fully in our society.
Access to birth control and abortion has enabled women to participate more equally in our society by allowing people to pursue goals and opportunities that would not be available to them if they were not able to control their own fertility. “Access to abortion is absolutely fundamental to women’s economic self-sufficiency and independence. These are among the primary principles the BCWAC fights for every day. Abortion access has helped fight the discrimination that continues to limit women’s rights in our country,” said Executive Director Ify Aduba. “Personal decision making and control over one’s body is a human right. We believe abortion must be accessible AND affordable for us all to be able to create our own path in life and make our own personal health care decisions.”
Groff noted that it is important to emphasize that for the time being, abortion is still legal in PA. Nothing has changed that until the PA legislature acts to further restrict access to abortion. Although many members of the PA legislature have made it clear that certainly will try to further restrict or even to ban abortion, the outcome of the 2022 elections will determine how this plays out in PA moving forward.
Planned Parenthood Keystone, which operates in Pennsylvania, released the below statement:
Today, the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v Wade – dismantling nearly 50 years of precedent and eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. This decision will strip millions of people across the nation of the right to control their bodies and gives anti-abortion lawmakers free rein to interfere in personal health care decisions. Over half of the states in the country – 26 states – are anticipated to ban or severely restrict access to abortion following the Court’s ruling.
“Let’s be clear: abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania and this decision has made our state an access point for abortion care. Planned Parenthood Keystone has been planning for this moment. We’ve expanded abortion access in our health centers and now offer abortion via telehealth and by mail. We are growing our abortion assistance fund to ensure that patients can access care, no matter their ability to pay. We will fight like hell to make sure everyone has access to the care they need, the ability to control their own bodies, and build their own futures – no matter where they’re from.” stated Melissa Reed, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Keystone.
“This decision means that 36 million women, and more people who can become pregnant, could lose abortion access. We know what the consequences of this decision will be and who will be most affected because we’ve seen the impact play out already in states like Texas. Planned Parenthood Keystone will continue to stand with our patients, and provide the health care they need, no matter what.” Said Dr. Sarah, a Physician at Planned Parenthood Keystone.
The consequences of this catastrophic decision will fall largely on Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities, people with low incomes, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, and people living in rural areas – those who already face the greatest barriers to health care. While abortion will remain legal in Pennsylvania, continued state legislative attacks like Senate Bill 956, and the uncertainty of the upcoming general election, demonstrate that the right to abortion in our state is not guaranteed.
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation posted the following update:
“Built on legal sand, Roe is finally washed away by the tide of justice!”
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