WASHINGTON — In response to this morning’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post released the following statement:
“Today’s decision marks a stunning rollback of the most personal fundamental freedoms for millions of Americans — control over if, when, and how to start a family. This was fueled and driven entirely by the Republican Party. Republicans have worked for decades for this moment, all in pursuit of telling the average American what they can or cannot do with their bodies, their finances, and their lives.
“Republicans have overplayed their hand and are out of touch with a majority of voters on this issue. In a matter of days, weeks, and months, the lives of Americans will fundamentally change. They will soon be forced to travel to Democratic states to obtain reproductive health care — which can be necessary to save their lives.
“Democrats in state legislatures have prepared for this moment, ensuring that abortion remains safe and legal in their states and for those who will be forced to flee Republican-controlled states to obtain health care. Democrats are using their power to protect fundamental American freedoms while the GOP works to control your decisions.
“The only recourse to protect abortion access is to elect Democrats to state legislatures. Democrats’ systemic neglect of down-ballot races is about to have sweeping consequences. The fight to protect abortion rights is in the states — and Democrats ignore that reality at our own peril.”
Abortion is expected to become illegal in up to 26 states either because of pre-existing abortion bans on the books or because of Republican-controlled legislatures that are hostile to abortion rights. In at least 14 states, abortion access will disappear within a month. Democrats in 16 states and Washington, D.C. have explicitly protected the right to an abortion. The DLCC has launched the “States to Save Roe” campaign to help Democrats and the DLCC fight back against Republican attacks on abortion rights by electing state Democrats and protecting Democratic chambers that serve as a firewall for access to reproductive health care and services.
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