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PA Responds to Roe v. Wade Decision

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Comments are starting to pour in from representatives and candidates from around the Commonwealth to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Friday morning to overturn Roe v. Wade.

updated 2:01 p.m.

Bob Casey Jr., U.S. Senator

“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.”

Tom Wolf, Pennsylvania governor

“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.”

John Fetterman, Democratic candidate, U.S. Senate

“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. I will protect abortion rights. Dr. Oz will take them away. It’s that simple.”

Mehmet Oz, Republican candidate, U.S. Senate

“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 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.”

Josh Shapiro, Democratic candidate, Governor

“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.”

Doug Mastriano, Republican candidate, governor

“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.

“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.”

Carrie Lewis DelRosso, GOP candidate, lieutenant governor

“Regarding today’s SCOTUS decision—I will stand up for the sanctity of life of the unborn and the safety of the mother. As the next PA Lieutenant Governor I look forward to the day I preside over a state Senate that steps forward with legislation to end the exploitation of vulnerable women and their children and restores the sanctity of life for all Pennsylvanians.”

Austin Davis, Democratic candidate, lieutenant governor

“Women should have the right to make decisions over their bodies. SCOTUS just took away that guarantee. The only way to keep abortion legal in PA is to elect @JoshShapiroPA and me. This is the post-Roe era, and the right to choose lies with who sits in the Governor’s office.”

Mike Kelly, U.S. Congress, PA-16

Today’s ruling is a major victory for the pro-life movement, but our work has only begun. All little boys and little girls deserve a chance at life, and this ruling ensures they will get that chance. The right to life is not just for some of us. It is for all of us. I want to speak directly to those who have had abortions and struggle with their decision: you should know that forgiveness and grace – for yourself and others – will help heal those emotional wounds. As we move forward, I encourage everyone to remember a core tenet of this country that still holds true today: each of us has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Mary Gay Scanlon, U.S. Congress, PA-05

“The Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health is unprecedented and will have a devastating impact across our country. It is rare in the United States for millions of Americans to wake up with fewer rights than they had the day before, but that is precisely what the Court has done here. For years, reproductive health care advocates were mocked for sounding the alarm about abortion rights. We were told Roe and Casey were settled law — today’s decision makes clear we were justified in our concern. Women are now facing the greatest threat to our reproductive freedom we’ve seen in half a century.”

Susan Wild, U.S. Congress, PA-07

“The conservative majority on the Supreme Court just overturned Roe v. Wade, stripping away reproductive freedom and creating a disturbing and extreme new precedent: that long-held constitutional liberties are not guaranteed, but may be dismantled at the dystopian whim of the far-right. The fear that Republicans had for years claimed was mere ‘hysteria’ has come true. And make no mistake, this decision will have consequences far beyond abortion rights. This is just the beginning. Everything is on the line. We now live in a nation where a once-guaranteed right for all women has been shattered; where women in at least 24 states now have even fewer rights than men; and where the government can inject itself into the most personal of decisions.”

Scott Perry, U.S. Congress, PA-10

“Today’s SCOTUS decision is a monumental victory for the unborn, and Constitutionally restores the rights of the States’ and Citizens’ to adjudicate this issue for themselves.”

Lloyd Smucker, U.S. Congress, PA-11

“The Supreme Court has made the right decision, which will save lives. The Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Wolf should take action to protect the sanctity of life. In Congress, I will continue to support pro-life policies which protect the unborn.”

Fred Keller, U.S. Congress, PA-12

“Today’s historic decision ushers in a new era of prolife protections for the unborn not seen in half a century. I commend SCOTUS for its fortitude—amid threats of attacks & harassment from the radical left—to make the right decision and eturn this issue back to the states where it belongs. Most importantly, this ruling invalidates Roe v. Wade which was wrongly decided nearly 50 years ago. Nothing is more important than life. Our Creator has a plan for every single one of us, and I will continue to fight in Congress against the left’s attempts to pass extreme legislation that allows for late-term abortions and taxpayer funded procedures.”

Bryan Cutler, Speaker of the Pennsylvania House
Kerry Benninghoff, PA House Majority Leader

“Today’s Supreme Court ruling reestablishes the authority of states to regulate abortion. The ruling once again makes clear it is the authority of individual states to establish laws that are in the best interest of their residents. It is important to point out Pennsylvania’s Abortion Control Act remains in effect, and places firm restrictions on abortions in our Commonwealth including a ban on all late-term abortion procedures. This ruling presents a necessary opportunity to examine our existing abortion law, and discussions around possible changes are already underway.”

Guy Reschenthaler, U.S. Congress, PA-14

“I am overjoyed by today’s historic Supreme Court decision to protect the unborn. This is a tremendous victory for life by rightfully empowering the people.”

Summer Lee, Democratic candidate, PA-12

“A sad, shameful day. We lost our right to abortion care b/c of right-wing extremists appointed to lifetime seats. It’s horrible & unsurprising, but it’s not over. We have to do everything we can to defend this right in states where abortion rights are still protected.”

 

 

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