Iowa leaders react to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade
The U.S. Supreme Court ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place for nearly 50 years Friday in a decision by its conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade. The outcome is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states.
Following the announcement, government officials, organizations and nonprofits immediately began sending out statements.
Watch the video above to see vlog's Todd Magel report live from D.C.
Gov. Kim Reynolds issued the following statement on the decision:
“The Supreme Court’s greatest moments have come when it allows America to embody more perfectly the enduring truth on which it was founded: that all human beings, without exception, are created equal," Reynolds said. "By that measure, today’s historic decision is clearly one such moment. But the fight for life is not over. As governor, I won’t rest until every unborn Iowan is protected and respected.”
U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said the ruling "empowers people." He issued the following statement:
“For many Americans, including myself, this decision is about far more than correcting a flawed legal analysis in Roe; it means that the rights of the unborn are no longer in jeopardy by our federal government. Our nation was founded on the fundamental principle we are endowed by our creator with the unalienable right to life – a right that must be protected.
“This ruling does not ban the practice of abortion but instead empowers the people, through their accountable elected representatives to make commonsense policy decisions. It takes policymaking out of the hands of unelected judges.
“Regardless of your views on this issue, or any other issue for that matter, we all should respect the role of our impartial judiciary and the decisions that it renders. We’re blessed to live in a country where the people play a leading role in how we are governed. The people can advocate for policy priorities in the public square, the halls of Congress and at the ballot box, as so many pro-life Americans have done throughout the past five decades. Seeking to intimidate or attack the court or undermine its credibility because of an outcome that you don’t support is not the answer.”
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, said the decision will save lives.
“I’m proudly and adamantly pro-life. This decision reflects the science, will save lives, and rightly returns policymaking power back to the American people and their elected officials.”
U.S. Rep. Cindy Axne, D-Iowa, sees the decision as a tragedy.
“Today is a tragic day for women and for all Americans. The Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is unconscionable, cruel, and takes the power away from tens of millions of American women to make their own medical decisions.
I have seen firsthand how much progress women have made towards equal pay and equal rights in recent years. Because of the Roe decision, women just like me have been able to go to college, build careers, and plan their lives and families on their own terms. It will disproportionately affect the poor, minority communities, and anyone who can’t travel to another state or country to receive lifesaving medical care.
This decision takes our country back decades and threatens every American's right to privacy.
Put simply, this decision is discriminatory, unfair, upends 50 years of precedent, and goes against the majority opinion of the American people.”
U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, agreed with the Supreme Court's decision, calling it "momentous."
"Since before I was elected to Congress, I have called for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, and after nearly fifty years, I am overjoyed that the sanctity of life has triumphed," Feenstra said in a statement. "By striking down Roe, we can truly live up to our highest moral values and allow states like Iowa – where we proudly defend innocent life – to codify laws that reflect our deepest convictions. As a Christian and father of four, I will always protect the unborn and vote to ensure that every child is guaranteed one of our most fundamental constitutional rights; the right to life.”
Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood North Central States says the decision will harm millions of people.
“The U.S. Supreme Court decision is wrong and will harm millions of people,” said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “This decision is an unconscionable rollback of fundamental rights for all people in the United States. Because people’s right to access abortion is no longer guaranteed by federal law, it now depends on where you live and how much money you have to travel out of state for abortion care. Forced pregnancy is a grave violation of human rights and dignity."
Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says, "Today's disastrous Supreme Court decision by six unelected Republican Justices is a direct assault on the freedom of Iowa women to make their own health care decisions and of all Iowans to exercise their rights to privacy and self-determination."
U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-Iowa, said the decision will help life.
"This decision will save countless lives. In Congress, I will continue to champion pro-life policies and work to support expecting mothers and their babies.”
Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst is angry with the decision. She issued the following statement:
“Like millions of Americans, I’m angry and exhausted and fed up with politicians who think they know what’s best for me and my family.
While today’s ruling is tough and it might feel hopeless, this fight is NOT over and here’s why:
Right now, Iowa law still gives us the final say in making our own healthcare decisions, including abortion.
Second, a large majority of Iowans still believe in reproductive freedom because they know everyone deserves the right to decide when to start a family.
I am going to fight like hell every single day to make sure every family in Iowa keeps their right to access safe, legal abortions.”
Click below to learn more about Roe v. Wade: