HARTFORD, Conn. — A draft opinion among Supreme Court justices suggested that the majority of them supported the overturn of Roe v. Wade according to a report published in Politico Monday night.
Roe v. Wade is a 1973 case that legalized abortion nationwide. Whether or not the draft represents the final word on the matter is unclear.
The court is expected to rule on the case in late June or July, before the term is up.
Connecticut officials have reacted to the Supreme Court opinion leak.
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said she is horrified, ashamed, and angry at the ruling.
"If the Supreme Court of the United States rules as this draft is written, this opinion will go down in history as a stain on our country. It is misguided and will be responsible for stripping away a basic right of women, threatening to undo other constitutional protections for all Americans." DeLauro said. "I am proud to represent Connecticut—a state that is proactively protecting the right to choose and creating a sanctuary for those seeking an abortion. We will continue to lead the way. I hope that everyone reading this draft opinion in fear knows it is just that, a draft opinion. Abortion is still legal. This does not change the law as it stands now."
U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal shared his thoughts on Twitter thanking the Connecticut legislature for anticipating the "potential horror."
"Countless women tonight are feeling scared & alone, but they should know that this fight is far from over. This draft is by no means final & states like CT are stepping up to protect them," Blumenthal said.
U.S. Rep. John B. Larson said in a statement :
“If the Supreme Court of the United States moves forward with this draft as written, it will be devastating for our country. It would mean women will be subjugated by the Court to relinquish any control they rightly have over their own bodies. While we are mindful this leaked opinion is not final, it shines a spotlight on the Congressional action that must be taken.
"I am proud the House has already voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act that codifies Roe v. Wade. The Senate can no longer hide behind the cloture vote. There is a new urgency for them to act now. The American public needs to know where Congress and the United States Senate stands. It’s time for the Senate to do what they’re elected to do: vote!
"We have seen state legislatures across the country pass devastating limits on access to abortion and reproductive care. I commend the Connecticut State legislature for the action they have taken on reproductive rights. We will continue to stand for reproductive rights in Connecticut and across the country."
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney issued this statement following media reports of a draft U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling:
“The 98-page draft opinion released last night, if accurate, is a full-throated attack on Supreme Court case law that has been painstakingly built over decades to protect the right of privacy for all Americans,” said Courtney. “Make no mistake about it—Alito’s mocking language targeting the ‘unenumerated rights’ of women and doctors is not just an attack on reproductive choice, it’s also an attack on the ‘unenumerated rights’ the Supreme Court cited for contraceptives, interracial marriage, and same sex marriage. As Sandra Day O’Connor—a Reagan appointee—warned decades ago, the Supreme Court and our nation will pay a ‘bitter price’ if the Court adopts this holding that will further deepen division in this country. At a time when more than 60% of Americans of all backgrounds still back the Court’s decision in Roe vs. Wade, this decision, if it holds, would do exactly that.”
“The House has acted to pass legislation to protect a woman’s right to reproductive freedom. It is time for the Senate to do the same.”
Attorney General William Tong issued a statement saying this would divide the nation.
“It is impossible to overstate just how tragic and destructive this decision would be, and what it would mean for the rights of women and patients nationwide. This would fundamentally and irrevocably change who we are as a nation, stripping rights that have been hard-wired into our laws for as long as many of us have been alive. If this decision stands, America will be immediately divided in two—states that will trust the personal and professional decisions of women and doctors, and states where craven politicians will seek to control and criminalize those choices," Tong said. "Connecticut will be a safe state for women, patients, and doctors. We are still in the process of reviewing this leaked decision and are in close coordination with our multistate partners. One thing is clear tonight—this decision changes everything. We must be clear-eyed and realistic about how bad this is, and what this potential decision, and this catastrophic leak, signals for every single major legal question before the Court."
U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy said in a statement, “If this draft reflects the true opinion of the Court’s majority, it will be a devastating, unprecedented attack on reproductive freedom for millions of Americans, especially for those living in states with ‘trigger laws’ designed to ban abortion as soon as Roe is overturned. This opinion robs women of the right to make decisions about their own bodies and instead empowers extreme politicians to make some of the most personal and consequential decisions for them. Let’s be clear: it was never hyperbole when Democrats started raising the alarm about the Court’s politicization. When Republicans said they would nominate Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade, they weren’t lying – and they won’t stop there. Their ultimate goal is a nationwide ban that will block abortion access everywhere. But the fight is not over. It’s time to build upon the movement to elect pro-choice candidates up and down the ballot to ensure reproductive rights are protected at the local, state, and federal levels. We won’t give up.”
The Connecticut Democratic party also issued a statement regarding the leak:
"The very real probability that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade is a death sentence for women in Connecticut and across the country. Making abortion illegal doesn’t make it go away; it makes it more dangerous, and in many cases, deadly.
"For years Democrats have warned that elections have consequences. The stark reality is before us today and Republicans are directly responsible. Abortion will be on the ballot in November, and we will fight for candidates at every level of government who will make women’s reproductive rights a priority. For those of us who remember vividly when abortion was not legal, and those for whom choice has been a lifelong right, turning back the clock is not an option.”
Connecticut Working Families State Director Sarah Ganong said in a statement:
“Last night’s leak made clear that the Supreme Court is on the verge of repealing Roe v Wade. This decision represents a direct attack on our basic, most fundamental rights; on our privacy, our freedom, our very right to choose.
People with privilege and wealth will always find a way to access all kinds of healthcare, including safe abortion, because they can travel or hire private medical care. This classist, racist, and sexist attack will impact the most marginalized communities across the country – just as we’ve seen throughout history.
In Connecticut, our legislature has risen to meet the moment and recently passed H.B. 5414 to protect those who seek to support others in obtaining legal reproductive healthcare in Connecticut from other states’ extreme bans. We must fight with everything we have to ensure these rights are protected not just in our state, but across the nation - and work tirelessly to overturn this decision, both at the courts and at the ballot box.”
Jareliz Diaz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jdiaz@fox61.com
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