Special Edition | June 24, 2022

Roe v Wade overturned

In a 6-3 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the 50-yr old law that legalized abortion in all 50 states, saying it was up to each state to create their own laws governing abortion.

In his concurring opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas said the court should also revisit Griswold v. Connecticut, a 1965 decision that declared married couples had a right to contraception; Lawrence v. Texas, a 2003 case invalidating sodomy laws and making same-sex sexual activity legal across the country; and Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 case establishing the right of gay couples to marry. Then, he said, after “overruling these demonstrably erroneous decisions, the question would remain whether other constitutional provisions” protected the rights they established.

Utah’s trigger law allows abortions only if the mother’s life is at risk, if the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest, or if two physicians who practice “maternal fetal medicine” both determine that the fetus “has a defect that is uniformly diagnosable and uniformly lethal or ... has a severe brain abnormality that is uniformly diagnosable.” It will not go into effect until legislative general counsel certifies the Supreme Court's decision.

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Statements on today's ruling

Gov. Cox and Lt. Gov. Henderson issue joint statement on U.S. Supreme Court ruling

“This administration has been dedicated to giving a voice to the most vulnerable in our society, including the unborn. We wholeheartedly support this Supreme Court ruling and are encouraged to see abortion law will be left to elected state representatives.

As pro-life advocates, this administration is equally committed to supporting women and families in Utah. We all need to do more to support mothers, pregnant women, and children facing poverty and trauma.”

Sen. Romney statement on Supreme Court decision

“The sanctity of human life is a foundational American principle, and the lives of our children—both born and unborn—deserve our protection. I support the Court’s decision, which means that laws regarding abortion will now rightfully be returned to the people and their elected representatives.”

Senator Mike Lee’s statement on Dobbs decision

“The national nightmare of Roe has ended. The Supreme Court of the United States has overturned the wrongly decided Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

“While the 63 million lives lost to abortion since Roe can never be reclaimed, we can take heart that the Supreme Court has recognized that Roe v. Wade and its progeny belong next to Plessy v. Ferguson and Dred Scott v. Sandford in the anticanon of Supreme Court history. I have never been prouder to have clerked for Justice Alito or the Supreme Court of the United States.

“I pray for national unity and for the safety of the justices of the Supreme Court who, in regard to this case, have faced unprecedented attacks. I thank God that the people of Utah and the United States are now free to enact protections for life and human dignity.”

Rep. Curtis reacts to Supreme Court ruling

am proud to witness today’s Supreme Court ruling in favor of human life. I welcome the overturning of Roe v. Wade and appreciate that state policy makers can now enact laws that align with their values. Personally, I believe these laws should include the preservation of life, but I also appreciate that this ruling allows elected officials, closer to the people, to draft laws that align with their state’s moral views. We must, at a federal, state and local level, adopt policies that support children in foster care systems, ensure easy and affordable access to contraception, and provide robust resources for women with unplanned pregnancies,.

While I see this ruling as a cause for celebration, I am also cognizant of those who feel differently. As this difficult debate continues, I implore all Americans at all levels of government to use this opportunity to learn from one another, treat each other with compassion, and find ways to work together to solve our differences rather than push one another away.

Rep. Blake Moore on SCOTUS decision

“I am thrilled with today’s Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade. States like Utah have been given back their right to protect the lives of millions of children and support expecting mothers. This is a monumental day in our nation’s history.”

Alliance for a Better Utah statement on Supreme Court decision

In response to the Court’s opinion, Chase Thomas, executive director for Alliance for a Better Utah, issued the following statement:

“While we were warned this was coming, the Supreme Court’s unprecedented elimination of constitutional rights today is still staggering and upsetting. For nearly fifty years, Utahns and Americans have relied on the protections of Roe and Casey to make personal medical choices impacting their own lives and their families. It is alarming that these personal choices have been stripped from individuals and are now placed in the hands of our state’s GOP supermajority, which has not only been hostile toward abortion access but also indifferent toward the needs and rights of women in general.

“Let’s be clear. Abortion has always existed and will continue to exist, despite its legal status nationally or here in Utah. We must work to support and lift up all those who are grieving and impacted by this decision today, especially those impacted most—marginalized individuals in our communities, people of color, and those with lower-incomes.

“This is not the end. The fight for freedom is constantly shifting and evolving, but we cannot surrender. We were set back a few steps—or decades—today, but we’ll continue advocating for a better future, one where every Utahn can safely and freely have access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare.”

Alliance for a Better Utah will be joining with Utahns and allied organizations to rally against and protest this decision this evening at 7:00pm at the Utah State Capitol Building and invite all to join us. We also encourage Utahns to support organizations that have been and will continue to work tirelessly to support reproductive freedom for those in our communities, including Planned Parenthood, the Utah Abortion Fund, and so many others.

Utah Democratic Party statement on Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson

This morning, the Supreme Court announced its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. This decision, which matches a draft opinion leaked last month, has effectively overturned Roe v. Wade, invalidating the landmark decision that has made safe, legal abortion the law of the land for nearly 50 years. This ruling leaves decisions about women’s reproductive freedom in the hands of state legislatures. That means that, in Utah, abortion is now essentially outlawed thanks to a bill passed by the GOP supermajority in 2020, which, when triggered by a Supreme Court decision like the one announced today, makes abortion illegal in almost all cases.

Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis released the following statement in response: “This decision is earth-shattering for women across the country, especially in states like Utah, where extremist Republicans have meticulously put in place extremely restrictive abortion bans, plotting for exactly this moment. Let’s be clear: such personal and intimate decisions as the choice to have an abortion should be between a woman, her family, and her doctor, and they should not involve the agenda of radical politicians. (Read More)

Ally Isom’s statement on Supreme Court decision on abortion

“There is nothing more sacred than life. As the mother of four and grandma to five, I am pro-life. I am also pro-consent, pro-family planning, pro-responsibility and pro-compassion. This is a complex subject for every woman, which is exactly why we need more women in the United States Senate. At minimum, we should do more to prevent unwanted pregnancy in the first place and the law should allow the termination of a pregnancy when a mother’s health is endangered, or when a woman or child is sexually assaulted. Every pregnancy is a unique experience for that woman. We must do more to support women and children, while ensuring fathers are also involved and responsible for their children.”

Tina Cannon statement on Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v Wade

The Supreme Court Decision regarding Roe v. Wade is the news the pro-life movement has been fighting for and eagerly anticipating for nearly 50 years. This is a win for the sanctity of life. Over two dozen states will now be abortion free due to trigger laws and state constitutional laws...

This news brings great responsibility to those who stand to protect the lives of the unborn. We must fund pregnancy resource centers, we must work nonstop to help women facing an unplanned pregnancy and do not know where to turn. We must support policies to aid families, not tear them apart.... (Read More)

Sen. Dan McCay’s responds to U.S. Supreme Court abortion ruling

“I’m encouraged that after nearly 50 years since the ruling of Roe v. Wade, we are finally recognizing and acknowledging the scientific facts of the matter – that a fetus is a human life. By recognizing this truth, we can take steps to overcome our nation’s greatest atrocity and find better ways to support both mothers and children. Now is the time to unite to provide resources and educate about alternative options readily available, such as adoption. I remain steadfast in being unapologetically pro-life and in my support for mothers, families and children.”

President Stuart Adams on US Supreme Court decision on abortion

“Today is a monumental victory for human life. Protecting those who cannot defend themselves is an obligation and duty we must all take upon ourselves. The Declaration of Independence clearly states we have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, a promise the U.S. Supreme Court upheld today.

“My commitment to life does not end at birth. Every mother and child, regardless of age, health or dependency, deserves protection, respect and opportunity. It is imperative that we enhance resources, including eliminating barriers surrounding adoption and financial and material support to help mothers and children.”

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