Lawmakers react to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, lawmakers representing Florida and Georgia are weighing in on the decision.

Here of some of their statements and tweets:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R)

“By properly interpreting the Constitution, the Supreme Court has answered the prayers of millions upon millions of Americans,” DeSantis tweeted, along with a statement.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida

“Todays decision means that the laws regarding abortion in your state will now be decided by elected legislators in your state,” Rubio tweeted.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida

“The importance of today’s decision by the Supreme Court cannot be overstated. For nearly 50 years, our country endured flawed legal reasoning that invented an implied constitutional right to abortion while stripping authority from lawmakers according to the will of the people. Today, the Court correctly interpreted the Constitution, defended human dignity and the foundational principle of federalism, and rightly declared that there is no constitutional right to end the life of an unborn child.

“I firmly believe that life begins at conception and that every child deserves to be welcomed into this world with open and loving arms. Abortion ends a life. It is abhorrent and has no place in our society. While we celebrate the Court’s latest ruling, the fight to protect the sanctity of life is not over. Lawmakers and the pro-life movement have the responsibility to make adoption more accessible and affordable, and do everything in our power to meet the needs of struggling women and their families so they can choose life. We cannot stop fighting until every life, born and unborn, is valued,” Scott said in a statement.

U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, D-FL 5

“Today is a dismal day for the American people. The Republican-controlled Supreme Court achieved their goal of stripping away a long-established constitutional right that provide Americans’ the ability to make their own health care decisions by voting to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“Every woman has the fundamental human right to reproductive care. It’s critical that women can make decisions about their health with their doctors without government intrusion. Lawmakers should not be allowed to control people’s personal medical decisions and impose on their bodily freedoms.

“Make no mistake: Republicans’ ultimate goal is a nationwide ban on abortion, and they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed women’s freedom to control their bodies, lives and futures. Abortion bans disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income people.

“The only way citizens can ensure additional liberties are not stolen is by heading to the ballot box this November,” Lawson said in a statement.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried (D), candidate for Florida governor

Fried issued the following statement:

“This is a sad day in American history. The Supreme Court has revoked women’s healthcare. They have revoked a woman’s right to choose. 

“This despicable ruling is not reflective of a healthy democracy. It is not based on thoughtful legal precedent. It is based on the conservative politics and dogmatic religious beliefs of a handful of people on the Supreme Court.

“To those who, like me, are more than just disappointed today, please understand this: they will not stop at overturning Roe. Mississippi and Idaho are already talking openly and publicly about banning contraceptives. Texas is willing to test putting public education on the chopping block. And gay marriage is likely next. The legal atrocity does not stop with women’s reproductive freedom. 

“If you are angry, stay angry. Stay angry at those like Ron DeSantis, who are celebrating today. Stay angry at lifelong politicians like Charlie Crist, who still describe themselves as ‘pro-life.’ Stay mad at leaders who won’t stand up for you.

“And stand with me. This is a fight I am willing to take all the way to the governor’s office. In fact, it’s one I’ve been taking on my whole life.

“I want every woman in Florida to know this: when I am the first woman Governor of Florida, you’ll have an ally – not an enemy – in the Governor’s Office.

“And we will make our voices heard in Tallahassee, in the halls of Congress, in front of the White House, and all the way to the steps of the Supreme Court if we have to.”

U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, D-FL 13, candidate for Florida governor

Crist issued the following statement:

“My heart is heavy for women across our country and in the Sunshine State who, with this decision, are losing their federal protections for the freedom to make their own reproductive decisions. 

“Under Ron DeSantis, freedom for Florida’s women has been under attack. And with today’s decision, the fate of reproductive freedom in our state is now squarely in the hands of the governor and state legislature. For Florida’s women and for all Floridians, this November’s election is the most consequential in modern history.

“I’m running for governor to protect Roe v. Wade. On day one of the Crist Administration, I will sign an Executive Order to protect a woman’s right to choose. Fighting every day for the women of our state will be a cornerstone of my administration. It’s time to get organized, get energized, get voters registered, and turn out the vote to protect women’s freedom.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R)

Kemp tweeted a statement.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia

“I’m outraged by the Supreme Court’s decision. As a pro-choice pastor, I’ll never back down from this fight. Women must be able to make their own health care decisions, not politicians,” Warnock said on Twitter.