A 2016 protest at the statehouse against an anti-abortion law.
(Brandon Smith/IPB News)
The U.S. Supreme Court officially reversed Roe v. Wade Friday, declaring that the constitutional right to abortion upheld for nearly 50 years, no longer exists.
Senate President Pro Temp Rodric Bray (R-Martinsville) said in a statement Friday he expects to work on abortion legislation during the upcoming July 6 special session.
"We certainly realize this is an extremely contentious and potentially polarizing issue. We will proceed with this conversation in a civil and substantive way so that all sides have the opportunity to be heard as we chart a course for Hoosiers," Bray said.
The Supreme Court’s decision is clear, and it is now up to the states to address this important issue. We’ll do that in short order in Indiana. I’ve already called the General Assembly back on July 6, and I expect members to take up this matter as well.
Gov. Eric Holcomb said that Indiana will address the issue of abortion in "short order."
"I have been clear in stating I am pro-life. We have an opportunity to make progress in protecting the sanctity of life, and that’s exactly what we will do," he said.
Much like Indiana’s federal GOP delegation, other state Republican lawmakers celebrated the Supreme Court’s decision Friday.
Sen. Liz Brown (R-Fort Wayne) said in a statement the decision “begins a new chapter in our nation’s history.”
“By overturning Roe, the justices are returning abortion policymaking to the states,” Brown said in a statement. “Hoosier elected officials are better positioned to set abortion policy than unelected judges, as we are answerable to voters and they are not.”
After 50 years, the right to life has finally been returned to the people and their elected representatives. I’m excited to see the states take the lead to protect the unborn, and I look forward to crafting solutions that will defend the unborn and save lives.
Indiana Democrats responded to the news almost immediately following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Terri Austin (D-Anderson) and House Floor Leader Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) released a statement saying "protecting women’s reproductive rights is protecting women and their futures."
House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) echoed those sentiments in his own statement.
"Put plainly, access to abortion has allowed women and families to plan their futures on their terms. It’s given women freedom, economic mobility and safety. Now, all of that is under threat," GiaQuinta said in a statement.
Senate Minority Leader Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) said in statement, Indiana already has the second highest rate of child abuse and the highest rate of child deaths from abuse in the nation. He said state is unprepared for the consequences of restricting abortion access.
“This ruling will plunge us back into a society where the most personal aspect of a woman’s life will be at the mercy of her state legislature,” he said.
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Federal Indiana lawmakers' reaction
Indiana’s senators praised the decision Friday by the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade.
U.S. Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) both tweeted support for the decision, which is likely to lead to abortion bans in half the states.
“After 50 years, the right to life has finally been returned to the people and their elected representatives,” Braun wrote on Twitter shortly after the announcement. “I’m excited to see the states take the lead to protect the unborn, and I look forward to crafting solutions that will defend the unborn and save lives.”
Young wrote in a separate post that the original decision was wrongly decided.
“Today is a monumental day for the protection of life in America and a defining moment for our nation,” Young wrote. “Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, and the Supreme Court has corrected a historic injustice.”
U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) called for Gov. Eric Holcomb and the Indiana legislature to convene a special session to pass legislation outlawing abortion in Indiana.
Banks called the decision “joyful” in a statement sent out Friday morning, and said he would be celebrating with his wife and daughters.
Anti-abortion, abortion advocates
Thank you to President Trump for appointing THREE #SCOTUS Justices who value the dignity of life! 🇺🇸
Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawai‘i, Indiana, Kentucky said in a statement the decision's consequences will fall largely on people who already face systemic barriers to health care due to racism and discrimination.
"We will keep fighting with everything we’ve got to ensure that everyone can access the care you need to control your body and your life. I want to be clear: Planned Parenthood will always be here to help you get the care you need," said CEO Rebecca Gibron.
Some states have trigger laws in place, in the event of the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, so abortion would become illegal immediately. But state lawmakers did not pass such a law during their 2022 legislative session.
This story has been updated.
WFIU/WTIU's Bente Bouthier, George Hale and Cathy Knapp contributed to this story. Indiana Public Broadcasting's Lauren Chapman also contributed to this report.
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