Local leaders react to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (KMOV/AP) - Within minutes after the Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade, local leaders expressed their opinions.

The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito indicating the Court was prepared to take this momentous step. Joining Alito were Justices Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett. The latter three justices are Trump appointees. Thomas first voted to overrule Roe 30 years ago.

Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan — the diminished liberal wing of the Court — were in dissent.

Several local Republicans, including Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt, tweeted statements in favor of the ruling. In May, Schmitt said he would take immediate action to allow the abortion ban to take effect and he stood firm by his statement.

🚨BREAKING: With the Dobbs decision just handed down and a stroke of my pen — Missouri became the first state to effectively end abortion and has become the most Pro Life state in America. pic.twitter.com/8asHJKMIdo
— Eric Schmitt (@Eric_Schmitt) June 24, 2022

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a proclamation Friday morning ending elective abortions in Missouri.

The proclamation gives legal effect to Section 188.017 RSMo and activates the “Right to Life of the Unborn Child Act.”

“Nothing in the text, history, or tradition of the United States Constitution gave un-elected federal judges authority to regulate abortion. We are happy that the U.S. Supreme Court has corrected this error and returned power to the people and the states to make these decisions,” Governor Parson said.

READ: Gov. Parson signs proclamation ending elective abortions in Mo.

Missouri’s GOP-led legislature passed the abortion ban in 2019 in hopes that the 1973 ruling would later be tossed out. Abortions would only be allowed to save the life of the mother. Anyone who performs an unlawful abortion would face 5 to 15 years in prison.

Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley tweeted a short statement.

This is a momentous day in America, when the efforts of generations of modern-day abolitionists comes to fruition. One of the most unjust decisions in American history has been overturned
— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) June 24, 2022

Former Missouri governor and U.S. Senate GOP hopeful Eric Greitens said the decision is “a huge victory for the life movement.”

Life is the most precious gift from our Creator and is always worthy of protection, especially the unborn who are the most vulnerable. We saw how liberals and extremists went to disgusting lengths to leak the draft opinion last month as a way to damage this sacred institution for their radical political agenda. But their reprehensible actions were no match for level-headed justices who looked at the case without prejudice or predisposition. As governor, I called the first-ever pro-life special session as a response to weak RINOs who failed to stand up for the sanctity of life. As a result, we passed the ‘Missouri Miracle,’ the most pro-life legislation in the country, which continues to serve as the blueprint for other states with the courage to protect the unborn.
Former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens

Democratic representatives in Missouri and Illinois voiced their opinions as well.

St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones released the following statement:

“Today’s unjust ruling from a far-right Supreme Court doesn’t change the fact that 7 in 10 Missourians support the right to an abortion. It does not change the fact that in states like ours, we’ve already been living a post-Roe reality, with thousands traveling out of state for abortions. As devastating as this moment is for families across the country, St. Louisans are ready to take action to protect our rights until Congress steps in to do what it should have done decades ago: codify Roe into law.
"If you’re a Democratic leader who has somehow managed to stay silent on abortion rights, it’s far past time for you to speak out and join together with us in this fight. Overturning Roe v. Wade was just the first step in a rightwing plot to take away our freedoms, and more attacks are coming. From limiting access to the ballot box to overturning marriage equality to prohibiting teachers from teaching accurate history, our children could grow up with fewer rights than we ourselves did. That’s not the future I want for my son.
“Abortion is healthcare, and it should be safe and accessible to all who need it. Our right to make our own healthcare decisions is an inalienable one, no matter what. As mayor, I will fight like hell to protect reproductive healthcare and give St. Louisans the support they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families.”
St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones

In a statement, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) stated,

Abortion care IS health care. It was so before this. And it will remain so after this.

We don’t care what a far-right extremist Supreme Court that is in a crisis of legitimacy says. Your racist, sexist, classist ruling won’t stop us from accessing the care we need.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) June 24, 2022

Therefore, our health department will consult with every abortion provider and use every resource of @STLCounty government to ensure County employees and residents have access to the services they need to stay healthy. 2/2
— County Executive Sam Page (@DrSamPage) June 24, 2022

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the ruling was “a direct assault on the right to privacy and self-determination.”

“..To women everywhere: abortion is still safe and legal in Illinois. Governor Pritzker enshrined the right to choose into state law in preparation for this very moment and we will not go backward. Illinoisans overwhelmingly support a woman’s right to control her own future––and Governor Pritzker will fight like hell to protect those rights.” his official statement read.

Missouri US Senate candidate Lucas Kunce demanded Congress codify Roe v Wade.

Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth wrote “this outcome is a nightmare that at robs women of their right to make their own choices about their healthcare and their bodies, and it paves the way for a nationwide abortion ban that Republicans have been seeking for decades.

“In a nation with a growing maternal mortality crisis and often inaccessible healthcare, without affordable child care or universal paid leave, forcing births on anyone—even when the mother’s life could be at risk—is not only cruel, it will also be deadly. Doctors working in states where abortion, or even management of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy, is outlawed could even be threatened with prison for daring to save a patient’s life. Victims of rape could be forced to relive their trauma every day.
“I refuse to let my daughters grow up in a world with fewer rights than I had. As Republicans continue their march toward a nationwide abortion ban, I will do everything in my power to ensure that Illinois remains a safe haven for all women seeking reproductive care. It is as important as ever that the Senate acts to codify Roe v. Wade into law so that every American in every state has equal access to basic, necessary healthcare—regardless of their skin color, zip code or income.”
Illinois U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy wrote that while he supports the decision the ruling “will potentially make” the division between a “deeply divided” country worse.

“Today, millions of prayers have been answered. Abortion is a very difficult and controversial topic in which real lives - of both mothers and babies - are deeply affected. Because of this monumental ruling, the regulation of abortion is now being left to individual states as it should be. I support our state party platform that values the dignity of all life, from conception to natural death, and applaud the six Supreme Court Justices who had the courage to be real judges instead of judicial legislators. Judges should interpret the law, not make law.
Our country is deeply divided right now, and while I support this decision, I know this ruling will potentially make that division worse, at least in the short term, and many irresponsible people will stoke that division. I implore all Illinoisans to express their opinions with respect, civility, and without violence.”
llinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy

Previous Poll Results on Roe v. Wade

KMOV ran an exclusive poll in May found that 48% of Missourians say at least some abortions should be permitted while 46% say very few or none should be allowed. Of those, 26% say abortion should always be legally permitted, 22% say it should be legal with some restrictions, 29% say abortion should be illegal, except in cases of rape, incent, or to save a mother’s life, and 13% say abortion should always be illegal.

Exclusive Poll: Majority of Missourians blame Biden for inflation, feel some abortions should be legal

Of those who took the poll, 47% of responders say Roe V. Wade should remain the law of the land, while 31% feel it should be overturned.

If Roe V. Wade is overturned, pollsters found that 58% of Missouri adults are opposed to an existing Missouri law that would automatically go into effect and ban all abortions.

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