Norcross, Kim, React To Potential Overturn Of Roe v. Wade

SOUTHERN NEW JERSEY — Reports that a woman's right to an abortion may be overturned by the United States Supreme Court caused mixed reactions among two of South Jersey's representatives to Congress on Tuesday.

The two lawmakers are among the multitude of those who have been weighing in on the Politico's report that was written based on a draft majority opinion indicating five justices will overturn Roe (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).

"The draft Supreme Court opinion is the latest front in the Republican Party’s war on women’s rights. It is a direct assault on women's reproductive freedom," U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (NJ - 1), said in a statement.

"If this draft opinion stands, it will cause immeasurable harm to countless women, particularly poor and working-class women, by restricting their fundamental right to make their own health care decisions," Norcross continued, noting that he was among those who voted for the passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act.

That act, which according to congress.gov protects "a person’s ability to determine whether to continue or end a pregnancy, and to protect a health care provider’s ability to provide abortion services," is now before the U.S. Senate, who must "pass [the act] without delay," Norcross said.

U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ - 3) tweeted that "many are feeling deep anxiety and fear tonight about this. This is a draft doc, but it’s still a stark reminder that we cannot take anything for granted."

Kim continued, "the next 5 [years] in this country will shape the next 5 decades. It’s on all of us to fight for fairness and equality."

On Tuesday, New Jersey Gov. Murphy said that even if the final Supreme Court opinion mirrors the draft version, his signing of the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act earlier this year means a New Jersey woman will still be able to receive an abortion.

"This decision will have no impact on New Jersey state law or the full right to reproductive freedom under state law," Murphy said. "This remains fully intact because here in New Jersey, instead of hoping for the best we prepared ourselves for the worst."

Conversely, some of New Jersey's Republicans praised the potential of the draft opinion, with U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ - 4) calling it "a powerful step" in protecting "the weakest and most vulnerable."

"A new national debate on abortion has begun and fresh scrutiny must be brought to bear on how the lives of unborn children are destroyed including by dismemberment with sharp knives, pulverization by powerful suction devices, or poisoning by any number of toxic chemicals," Smith
added.

This story contains reporting by Michelle Rotuno-Johnson and Karen Wall.

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