OHIO — In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court on Friday voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 case that legalized abortions during the first two trimesters of pregnancy.
The overturn of Roe v. Wade stems from the court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which relates to a Mississippi law that banned abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The decision comes after the May leak of a Supreme Court majority opinion that signaled the demise of Roe v. Wade, which stated the court planned to overturn it.
“The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely—the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment,” Justice Samuel Alito wrote.
Follow along for reactions from lawmakers, leaders and organizations across the state:
Ohio lawmakers are taking their opinions to social media, drawing largely along party lines.
Attorney General Dave Yost, R-Ohio, agreed with the Supreme Court’s decision, writing in part, “This decision returns abortion policy to the place it has always belonged to the elected policy branches of government. It never belonged to the courts.”
Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Ohio, slammed the reversal, saying it would lead to “legal chaos.”
“Today’s decision is the direct result of Republican court-packing and a gift to the most extreme sect of the Republican party. The vast majority of Americans support the right to choose, reproductive rights, and access to safe abortions; however, the will of the American people has been overturned by a small handful of fundamentalists who believe in government-mandated pregnancies. A woman’s right to choose should be non-negotiable,” Beatty wrote. “More than anything, I am worried for the people who need an abortion, and who will no longer be able to access one, or, worse yet, will be criminalized for seeking out services. And unfortunately, we know it will be women of color who will be hurt the most by this. Where there was once certainty and safety in settled law, there will soon be confusion and legal chaos. It is vital we pass federal legislation to secure access to reproductive care.”
Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval, D-Ohio, tweeted, “we are going to fight like hell.”
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, hopes the decision will make people value life more.
“As we transition as a nation from Roe to Dobbs, we all need to do our best to understand and respect the heartfelt, genuine differences of opinions among our families, friends, neighbors and communities. Being an adoptee who started life in a foster home, my own experience helped shape my views on this issue,” Husted wrote. “I’m here today because my birth mother chose life and put me up for adoption, which I know could not have been an easy decision for her. My prayer for all of us is this collective experience will build a more compassionate nation that values life.”
Ohio’ senators also shared their reactions:
In addition, organizations throughout the Buckeye State issued statements.
Ohio Right to Life called Roe v. Wade “most destructive court decision.”
“Ohio now can save countless innocent lives,” the statement read. “Ohio Right to Life encourages our pro-life legislative majorities and Governor DeWine to be ambitious and end abortion once and for all in our great state. We are dedicated and prepared to pass our Human Life Protection Act and send it to Governor DeWine’s desk as soon as possible.”
Pro-Choice Ohio said the ruling is “devastating, but not the end.”
“Pro-Choice Ohio and our allies have fought, and will continue to fight, to keep abortion legal and accessible as long as possible, for as many as possible. We will fight to protect those who need abortion care, and those who provide that care from criminalization. We will never forsake them. The only strategy we are not willing to consider is surrender. We are the majority. We will prevail,” the organization wrote in a statement.
