BOSTON — Lawmakers in Massachusetts were quick to react after the Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years.
Friday’s outcome overturning Roe v. Wade is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.
RELATED: What does an overturn of Roe v. Wade mean for New England states?
Abortion will remain legal in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Supreme Court has recognized the right to abortion under the state’s constitution and Attorney General Maura Healey vowed to keep it that way.
Abortion is legal in Massachusetts. And I will do everything in my power to keep it that way.
— Maura Healey (@maura_healey) June 24, 2022
In a tweet, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said, “I have three words: Hold onto hope. Do not give into despair.”
In the face of this dark post-Roe reality, I have three words: Hold onto hope. Do not give into despair. Here’s how I’m staying in the fight: pic.twitter.com/DqbZRKxCID
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) June 24, 2022
Sen. Ed Markey said that the overturning of Roe v. Wade was “egregious and overtly political act that jeopardizes the health, safety, and freedom of millions of Americans.”
The overturning of Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood is an egregious and overtly political act that jeopardizes the health, safety, and freedom of millions of Americans. Abolish the filibuster, pass the Women's Health Protection Act, and expand the Court now.
— Ed Markey (@SenMarkey) June 24, 2022
Representative Seth Moulton said the decision “takes control of women’s bodies away from them and gives it to politicians.”
This decision takes control of women's bodies away from them and gives it to politicians.
— Seth Moulton (@sethmoulton) June 24, 2022
It is terribly wrong.#RoeVsWade https://t.co/QQyfKxBu87
In a statement, Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House Katherine Clark said, “Overturning the right to an abortion brings us to the horrifying reality of government-mandated pregnancy – we are now living in a dystopian nightmare. Forced pregnancy is morally abhorrent, and this decision will set women back decades.”
Overturning the right to an abortion brings us to the horrifying reality of government-mandated pregnancy – we are now living in a dystopian nightmare. Forced pregnancy is morally abhorrent, and this decision will set women back decades. But we are not powerless. We will fight.
— Katherine Clark (@RepKClark) June 24, 2022
Representative Lori Trahan added, “The consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe are devastating.”
The consequences of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn #Roe are devastating.
— Lori Trahan (@RepLoriTrahan) June 24, 2022
Millions of women are losing access to safe, legal abortion care immediately because of anti-abortion state laws taking effect now that the opinion is official. 🧵 1/3
Representative Ayanna Pressley said, “We will never stop fighting to affirm what we know is true: abortion care is a fundamental human right.”
We will never stop fighting to affirm what we know is true: abortion care is a fundamental human right.
— Ayanna Pressley (@AyannaPressley) June 24, 2022
Representative Bill Keating said, “Make no mistake - this decision is not just an attack on abortion rights by an extremist Supreme Court majority - it is an attack on the autonomy of half of the population of the United States, an attack on their inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Make no mistake - this decision is not just an attack on abortion rights by an extremist Supreme Court majority - it is an attack on the autonomy of half of the population of the United States, an attack on their inalienable right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
— Congressman Bill Keating (@USRepKeating) June 24, 2022
The Massachusetts Citizens for Life praised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Republican candidate for Massachusetts governor and Lt. governor, Geoff Diehl and Leah Allen said, “We both believe in protecting innocent life wherever possible, and we support the Court’s decision for its proper interpretation of our Constitution, which takes the question of abortion and places it in the province of the states, where it belongs.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.
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