Massachusetts Leaders Denounce Draft Of SCOTUS Abortion Ruling

BOSTON — State and local officials were quick to denounce a leaked draft of a ruling suggesting the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark two rulings that gave Constitutional protection to a woman's right to get an abortion.

"I woke up this morning very dejected, outraged and angry," Senate President Karen Spilka said outside the State House Tuesday morning. "I believe this is one of the saddest days in American history."

On Monday evening, POLITICO published a draft Supreme Court decision that lays out a legal case to overturn two key abortion decisions: Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. Although only a draft, the document shows that the court is on the path toward rescinding abortion access, which would lead to it being outlawed in many states.

Spilka, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (above), U.S. Attorney Rachael Rollins, House Speaker Ronald Mariano and other elected officials spoke about the draft ruling at an ACLU press conference outside the State House Tuesday morning.

"This is a devastating moment for our country, when lives are being threatened by a fringe majority determined to drag us back to the dangers of decades past," Wu said. "It's also a call to action - that Massachusetts must continue to lead. In Boston, we affirm our absolute commitment to protecting reproductive rights as a core to building a city for everyone. We are here. We are ready. And we will continue to organize and legislate and fight for the future our communities deserve."

Meanwhile, abortion rights advocates are planning a rally at 5 p.m. on Tuesday outside the State House, in Copley Square and on Boston Common. They're asking attendees to wear green.

Reaction From Other Elected Officials In Massachusetts

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, who is in Washington, D.C., also denounced the draft.

"If SCOTUS overturns Roe, it would be a massive setback for women in states without responsible laws protecting abortion access and reproductive health services," Gov. Baker said in a Twitter post, adding he is "proud to support every woman’s right to choose and I am proud that MA has and will always protect every woman’s right to choose what is best for them"

Also on Patch: MA Among States With Abortion Protection If Roe V. Wade Falls

In December 2020, the state Senate overrode a Baker veto of the ROE Act, sponsored by Worcester Democratic state Sen. Harriette Chandler, state Rep. Patricia Haddad (D-Bristol) and state Rep. Jay Livingstone (D-Boston). Baker vetoed the bill because it would have allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to get abortions without parental consent.

The law allows abortions through 24 weeks of pregnancy, and allows the procedure beyond 24 weeks if a physician decides "the abortion is necessary to protect the patient's life or physical or mental health, or in cases of lethal fetal anomalies, or where the fetus is incompatible with sustained life outside the uterus." Most states restrict access through 20 weeks. The law also lowered the age of parental consent for an abortion to age 16 and younger. Baker opposed both of those provisions in his veto.

The law also enshrines abortion as a right in Massachusetts under state law, protecting access should the federal rulings fall.

"There is power in state & local leadership to protect our fundamental right to abortion and expand access to care," Dr. Jennifer Childs-Roshak, president and chief executive of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts said in statement. "We’ve proven that in Massachusetts and will continue to lead by legislating reproductive health equity in every corner of the Commonwealth."

Other elected officials also weighed in on the news:

• "Abortion is a fundamental human right. Massachusetts has codified abortion access, Congress must do the same," said Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, who is running for governor as a Democrat. "My team has been there at every turn to protect patients and providers, and we will keep defending the right to basic health care."
• "This is horrifying, but unsurprising to anyone who's been paying attention. The fall of Roe has been the goal of conservatives for years," state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, who is also running for governor as a Democrat, said in a statement. "We must do everything we can to expand access to abortion and ensure Massachusetts shines bright as a sanctuary for those seeking care both in and out of state."
• "End the filibuster. Codify #RoeVWade with a national law protecting abortion rights. Expand the Supreme Court," U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) said in a tweet. "Stop this horrifying injustice in its tracks."
• "If anyone had any reservations about expanding the Supreme Court, it is now time to face reality and do what is right," Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) said. "We can put an end to McConnell and Trump's stolen far-right majority, protect abortion rights, and stop this attack on Americans' freedom and safety."