An explosive report initially leaked out through Politico reveals that the United States Supreme Court could strike down Roe v. Wade, the breakthrough 1973 legislation that granted federal protections of abortion rights.
The report leaked a draft decision penned by Justice Samuel Alito, titled Thomas E. Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, states on page 5 “We hold that Roe v. Wade must be overruled. The constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provisions, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely — the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment.”
The Supreme Court has voted to strike down Roe v. Wade, according to an initial draft majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito and obtained by POLITICO.
— POLITICO (@politico) May 3, 2022
“We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled,” Alito writes. https://t.co/nl3JFLx9xg
Alito continues on page 6 stating: “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences…”
The draft which was written in February has not been formally voted on as deliberations continue. Justices can change their opinion and vote, and drafts can be re-drafted at a later date. Politico reports the final verdict is probably two months away.
According to the report, “A person familiar with the court’s deliberations said that four of the other Republican-appointed justices – Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett – had voted with Alito in the conference held among the justices after hearing oral arguments in December, and that line-up remains unchanged as of this week.
“The three Democratic-appointed justices – Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan – are working on one or more dissents, according to the person. How Chief Justice John Roberts will ultimately vote, and whether he will join an already written opinion or draft his own, is unclear.”
The issuance of the leak has stirred wide outcry from defenders of Roe v. Wade. Protests took place in front of the Supreme Court late Monday night with pro-life and pro-abortion protesters clashing.
Things are growing increasingly tense outside of the Supreme Court tonight. pic.twitter.com/od6OZkkz4o
— Zachary Petrizzo (@ZTPetrizzo) May 3, 2022
Groups continue to try and yell over each other... pic.twitter.com/aRU1yWbrlK
— Zachary Petrizzo (@ZTPetrizzo) May 3, 2022
Locally in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy called the leaked document and possible outcome a “dark day in American history,” vowing that the state of New Jersey will not turn its back on women’s reproductive rights.
A truly dark day in America with the news reports that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 3, 2022
This year, I signed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act – codifying a woman's right to choose into state law. New Jersey will not go backwards on reproductive rights.
I want to assure every New Jerseyan that today’s news about the Supreme Court does not change access to abortion in our state.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) May 3, 2022
Access to reproductive health care remains available to anyone who needs it in New Jersey.
Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver also chimed in on the controversy, stating on Twitter that she was “outraged” by the pending decision.
Outraged and at a loss for words.
— Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver (@LtGovOliver) May 3, 2022
For 49 years, women in this country have had the right to make their own reproductive health care decisions.
We MUST fight this!
New Jersey Democrat Senator Robert Menendez vowed to keep fighting for the right to choose.
In this moment, I want women in NJ and across the country to know that I will never stop fighting for your right to choose.
— Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) May 3, 2022