As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court released a ruling on Friday overturning the controversial Roe v. Wade decision which barred states from enforcing state laws limiting or even banning abortions in their jurisdictions. The news was welcomed by most state leaders in Alabama - a strongly pro-life state where most leaders and officials have run on a staunchly pro-life platform.
“Today is a giant step forward for our country as, after decades, Roe is finally overturned,” Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced. “Folks, after almost 50 years of standing up for unborn babies, our prayers have been answered.
“The fight continues, though,” Ivey said. “Here in Alabama, we have been preparing for this day when the decision-making authority on abortion is rightfully returned to the states. In 2019, I was proud to sign into law the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, which is one of the strongest bans on abortion in the country. Currently, there is a halt by a federal judge on the enforcement of that law, but now that Roe is overturned, the state will immediately ask the court to strike down any legal barriers to enforcing this law. ... Ensuring this 2019 law can be enforced is the next and very critical step to protecting our babies. This is a historic day, and I could not be more proud as a governor, a Christian and a woman to see this misguided and detrimental decision overturned.”
“Today is a truly historic day,” said Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R). “The United States Supreme Court has, at long last, finally overturned its fatally flawed decision in Roe v. Wade.
“The issue of abortion now returns to the States—and the State of Alabama has unequivocally elected to be a protector of unborn life.”
Marshall stated that Alabama laws prohibiting abortion not under injunction are in full effect, and he shared that the state will immediately file motions to dissolve injunctions against abortion laws halted by courts. He continued, “Any abortionist or abortion clinic operating in the State of Alabama in violation of Alabama law should immediately cease and desist operations.”
See also: And Federal Judge lifts injunction on Alabama’s Human Life Protection Act
Marshall concluded with a warning that any potential vandals or rioters will be prosecuted by the attorney general’s office to the fullest extent of the law.
U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Alabama) shared his thoughts on the decision.
“The 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade was unconstitutional, and the High Court has now reversed that decision,” he said. “It is our moral and ethical duty to protect the dignity of human life, particularly when it comes to the unborn. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court justly upholds the writings of our Constitution and allows us to preserve innocent human life. This is welcome news.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) stated that the decision is a victory for life and for Alabamians who believe in protecting the unborn.
“As a Christian, I believe life begins at conception, and that’s why I signed a ‘friend of the court’ brief in support of this [case],’ Tuberville stated. “This case reignited a discussion on the important role of the American family in our country and the need to protect life at every stage. I hope we don’t let this passion stop here, and we continue to discuss how we can protect the unborn and help vulnerable mothers.
“After months of a disgraceful public pressure campaign and failed efforts from Democrats to force their extreme and unpopular abortion-on-demand agenda on the American people, I’m glad the Court didn’t bow to outside pressure and maintained their judicial independence."
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL04) reflected on the “watershed moment” in the fight for life, commenting that the Court’s decision assists in protecting the most vulnerable.
“Of course, this does not mean the end of abortions in the United States,” explained Aderholt. “The decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization only returns the responsibility of protecting the unborn to elected officials, and each state will govern independently on the issue, meaning that the fight for life will continue in many places across the country. …I hope to see a shift towards adoptive services as an alternative to an abortion.”
“The U.S. Supreme Court has finally corrected a long-standing error by overturning Roe v. Wade, the disastrous decision that allowed abortion on demand in America,” Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03) said. “Today, the Supreme Court made the right decision to protect the innocent lives of unborn children. I am proud of the Justices who stood up for our Constitution and the sanctity of life even in the face of violent threats by the left.”
Congressman Jerry Carl (R-AL01) applauded the Supreme Court for overruling Roe, remarking that state legislators can now create laws to “build a culture that respects life.”
Alabama House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) mentioned that Alabama is “well-positioned to quickly end abortion within our borders.”
He continued, “Today’s ruling offers a firm and welcome answer to the prayers of millions of pro-life supporters here, in Alabama, and across the globe. The justices who voted to [overturn] Roe must be applauded for having the courage to end an immoral injustice that was allowed to exist for almost a half-century.”
Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) celebrated the decision as well, and said "This decision will allow states to protect life and ends nearly five decades of poorly decided precedent that was clearly outside Constitutional bounds. I applaud the Supreme Court for issuing this opinion despite threats of violence from left-wing activists attempting to change the outcome.
“While today is a great day in American history, the struggle is far from over. It will be up to state legislatures and Republicans in Congress to continue protecting life. We are already seeing Democrat controlled states push for late-term abortions and Democrats in Congress continue to block common sense bills that will save lives. We must oppose these efforts at all levels of government, and I will continue supporting lifesaving legislation.”
Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Katie Britt stated that “our prayers have been answered.”
“This is a great day in our nation’s history and an incredible victory for the God-given right to life, which I’m confident that the State of Alabama will protect,” Britt stated. “As a Christian, conservative, pro-life mother of two children, both the science and my faith tells me that life begins at conception. As an attorney, I also know that Roe not only was morally wrong, but constitutionally unsound. The Supreme Court has done the correct thing, even in the face of recent intimidation and threats. Now, it’s on elected representatives of the people across America to be a voice for the voiceless and defend those who cannot defend themselves.”
Alabama Democrats continue to oppose pro-life legislation even after the Supreme Court ruling on the topic.
“Because of laws passed by our Republican legislature, abortion services will likely be illegal in Alabama - a felony that could force doctors to face up to 99 years in prison for providing medical care to their patients, even in the case of rape,” claimed Alabama Democratic Party Chairman State Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa). “Republican legislators and appointed judges think they should be sitting between you and your doctor while making medical decisions.
“Republican politicians will claim this is a win for ‘life’ in a state with high infant mortality rates, a Black maternal mortality crisis, and countless other public health crises,” said England. “They refuse to expand Medicaid, providing free lifesaving healthcare access to Alabama families - or do anything else that actually sanctifies life for Alabamians. Now, their law will block abortion access in Alabama, negatively affecting women with the fewest resources the most. While the Supreme Court has turned back the clock back decades on our freedoms - Alabama Democrats still stand strongly for Alabamians’ freedom to make their own medical decisions - especially their right to abortion. In the meantime, we need Democrats in Washington to act and pass laws that protect abortion access for all Americans. We need federal action now.”
Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL07) agreed, noting that “today marks a dark day for women’s reproductive rights in the United States.”
"With this devastating decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has reversed nearly 50 years of legal precedent and stripped away a woman’s right to make her own decisions about deeply personal health care matters,” Sewell said. “Empowered by the Court, extremist politicians in state legislatures across the country will now begin racing to criminalize reproductive health care. Make no mistake, our nation’s most vulnerable women will be hit hardest by this decision. From voting rights to reproductive health care, this Supreme Court has shown that it is intent on rolling back the freedoms that our foremothers and forefathers fought so hard to secure. We cannot stand by as our rights are stripped away. It is incumbent upon Congress to act!”
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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