The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday in a 5-4 decision. Roe v. Wade is the historic decision that established the constitutional right to an abortion in the United States. As the result of the Supreme Court’ decision, almost half the states severely restrict abortion. Now, these laws will affect millions of people from the country, who may have to cross state lines to seek reproductive health care.
Supporters of abortion rights immediately showed their strong opposing arguments through social media and protests, while abortion opponents praised a decision they had long supported for and worked to ensure.
The majority opinion was written by Justice Samuel Alito, who was joined by four other conservatives. The three liberal justices disagreed with the outcome. Despite not supporting completely overturning Roe, Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the majority to uphold the Mississippi abortion restrictions.
The ruling is considered an extremely rare move that completely overturned the previous Supreme Court case. As a result, political disputes that cause national division are expected to continue.
In places where opinions on abortion are tightly divided, such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, legal status may change depending on the outcome of the election. Elsewhere, legal disputes may arise over whether an individual is legally able to undergo surgery in a state where abortions are allowed or to receive abortions.
President Biden criticized the Supreme Court ruling, noting that women living in states where abortion is prohibited can undergo surgery in states where abortion is legal.
Several Democratic governors in California, New Mexico, and Michigan have already announced plans to specify abortion rights in the state constitution.
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves welcomed the decision shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, saying, “We have led the nation to overcome one of the biggest fires in American history.”
“This ruling will have a direct impact on more children, strollers, report cards, and small-scale sports games,” he said adding, “Today is a happy day.”
Former U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who has long criticized the Roe v. Wade ruling, urged supporters not to stop until “the dignity of life” is protected by law in all states.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said the “Republican-controlled Supreme Court” had met the party’s “dark and extreme goals.”
She also emphasized that American women do not enjoy more freedom than their mothers’ generation. By asserting that this cruel decision is shocking and heartbreaking.
Concerns have grown that the Supreme Court’s reversal of precedents a long time ago could affect precedents that guaranteed other rights.