According to a Politico report, a leaked draft opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court may be set to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion in the U.S. According to the report, the leaked document was labeled a “1st Draft” of the “Opinion of the Court” in a case challenging Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks, a case known as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
A decision in the case is expected before the court begins its summer recess in late June or early July.
Alabama leaders are reacting to the news and to the leak, something that is extremely rare for the Supreme Court. Many condemned the leak saying that it was meant to disrupt the court’s decision.
Gov. Kay Ivey stated on Twitter, “This unprecedented leak is concerning, outrageous and a blatant attempt to manipulate the sacred procedures of the U.S. Supreme Court. Those responsible should be held accountable. My prayer is that Roe v. Wade is overturned and that life prevails. Tonight let us say a prayer for life and that our Justices remain steadfast in their convictions. Here in Alabama, we will continue fighting for the unborn.”
Congressman Barry Moore issued a statement on the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion calling it “dangerous” and blaming Democrats and their “radical agenda.”
“Tonight’s outrageous and unprecedented leak is astonishingly dangerous and further proof that nothing obstructing the Left’s radical agenda is safe, despite the consequences,” said Moore. “I am terribly concerned for the repercussions of this leak and the broader dangers of an ideology in which the ends always justify the means.
“Much remains unknown about this draft opinion, and even if it is authentic, justices can change positions on cases up until the last minute. But nothing can change the fact that Roe was a horrendous, politically-charged decision by an activist court with, at best, weak Constitutional footing. It is my sincere hope that Roe is overturned and this country’s tragic and shameful era of the widespread and indiscriminate legal termination of the lives of millions of unborn children can start to be brought to a close.
“We don’t know how the next days and weeks will unfold, but with great conviction I believe that our country needs our fervent prayer now more than ever,” Moore concluded.
Rep. Robert Aderholt released a statement agreeing with the reversal of Roe V. Wade. Aderholt called the ruling “deeply flawed.”
“I have read the news reports on the draft opinion indicating that the high court is set to overturn Roe V. Wade. We, of course, will have to wait and see if this report is true when the court actually releases its official opinion in the coming weeks; however, if the opinion stands, then it is a great decision for the protection of innocent life in America,” stated Aderhold. “The original arguments of Roe V. Wade in 1973 were deeply flawed and attempted to create a constitutional right to privacy where one did not exist.”
Aderholt continued, “Let’s be clear, though. The overturning of Roe will not make abortion illegal. It will simply leave the legality up to each individual state. While this will certainly reduce abortions by a great number, there will sadly still be thousands of abortions in states where it will remain legal. I’m glad to say Alabama will not be one of them.
“However, we cannot take this decision for granted. I will always remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable among us, and there are none more vulnerable than the unborn. Regardless of the decision, we must continue to fight to protect the lives of our unborn children. And as Co-Chairman of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I will continue to support meaningful alternatives to abortion.”
Rep. Jerry Carl stated on Twitter, “Last night’s leak of the Supreme Court draft opinion to potentially overturn Roe v. Wade is a shameful attempt by the radical pro-abortion Left to sway our Supreme Court justices. All life is made in the image of God, and I will never stop fighting to protect life at all stages!”
Rep. Terri Sewell stated on Twitter, “The draft opinion by SCOTUS is a devastating blow to women’s reproductive rights. A woman’s personal health decisions should be made between her and her doctor. The Senate must pass the #WHPA so that women everywhere can access a full range of reproductive health care services.”
President Joe Biden reacted to the news, calling on voters and elected officials to protect women. “If the court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose,” Biden stated. “And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November. At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law.”
