Florida, Georgia leaders react to Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade

Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia leaders and politicians are reacting to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade on Friday.

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President Joe Biden tweeted the following statement after delivering remarks during the noon hour:

“Today is a very solemn moment for the United States. The Supreme Court expressly took away a Constitutional right from the American people that it had already recognized. They simply took it away. That’s never been done to a right that is so important to so many Americans.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), tweeted the following, “By properly interpreting the Constitution, the Supreme Court has answered the prayers of millions upon millions of Americans.” He also issued the following statement:

“The prayers of millions have been answered. For nearly fifty years, the U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited virtually any meaningful pro-life protection, but this was not grounded in the text, history or structure of the Constitution. By properly interpreting the Constitution, the Dobbs majority has restored the people’s role in our republic and a sense of hope that every life counts.

“Florida will continue to defend its recently-enacted pro-life reforms against state court challenges, will work to expand pro-life protections and will stand for life by promoting adoption, foster care and child welfare.”

Florida Sen. Rick Scott (R), issued the following statement:

“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.”

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Florida Sen. Marco Rubio (R), issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to allow states to regulate abortion was right constitutionally and morally.

“For nearly half a century, a nation founded on God-given rights denied those rights to its most vulnerable citizens and more than 63 million Americans never got the chance to pursue their dreams.

“But we must not only continue to take steps to protect the unborn, we must also do more to support mothers and their babies. I will soon introduce a bill to ensure we do everything we can to give every child the opportunity to fully access the promise of America.”

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Florida Rep. Kat Cammack (R), who represents Florida’s Third Congressional District, retweeted SCOTUS Blog and said “Historic news! Life wins!”

Florida Rep. Al Lawson (D), who represents Florida’s Fifth Congressional District, issued the following statement:

“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.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), called the ruling “a historic victory for life” in the following statement:

“Today’s landmark ruling is a historic victory for life. I look forward to its impact on the legal proceeding surrounding Georgia’s LIFE Act, and hope our law will be fully implemented and ultimately protect countless unborn lives here in the Peach State. Working closely with the General Assembly, we have made significant strides to stand for life at all stages -- from adoption and foster care reform, to combatting human trafficking and passing the heartbeat bill -- and we will continue that important work in the days and months to come.”

Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock (D), called the decision “devastating for women and families in Georgia and nationwide” in the following statement:

“I’ve always believed a patient’s room is too small a space for a woman, her doctor and the United States government. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade ends a core protection for women to make their own health care decisions, and is a departure from our American ideals to recognize and protect basic rights. This misguided decision is devastating for women and families in Georgia and nationwide.

“Across the country, states have already passed dangerous and uncompromising restrictions that put politicians in charge of health care, instead of women and doctors. Our work to restore the right of women to determine and access their own care must continue. I’ll never back down from this fight because women should be able to make their own health care decisions.”

Georgia Rep. Buddy Carter (R), who represents Georgia’s First Congressional District, tweeted simply, “LIFE WINS.”

Florida State Rep. Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) said, “This radical Supreme Court decision is not about supporting life. Pro-life is about eliminating racial health disparities, it’s about addressing the alarmingly high Black maternal morbidity rates, protecting access to affordable health care, and our freedom to control our own bodies and our futures. Politics will now make decisions for our health– not our doctors and not ourselves. It’s a sad day for all of us, especially Black women.”

Florida State Rep. Tracie Davis (D-Jacksonville), said she is “shocked by this dangerous and frightening precedent” in the following statement she tweeted:

“I am shocked by this dangerous and frightening precedent. Women have a right to make private, personal medical decisions between themselves and their doctor. This is ridiculous, harmful, and will be damaging to generations who have now lost the right to their own body.”

Florida State Rep. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville), who has also served on the Jacksonville City Council, retweeted SCOTUS Blog and said, “Praise Jesus, the Supreme Court overturned Roe and Casey and sent the issue back to the states. #LifeWins”

Florida State Rep. Paul Renner (R-Palm Coast), whose district includes parts of St. Johns County and will become State House Speaker after the 2022 election, issued the following statement:

“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision rightfully returns the debate on protecting life back to the states where it belongs. The Florida Legislature has made significant strides towards protecting the unborn and will continue to pursue legislation that honors the sanctity of life.”

Florida State Sen. Audrey Gibson (D-Jacksonville), who is running for mayor of Jacksonville in 2023, issued the following statement:

“Today is a setback for women’s rights even beyond the 50 years that Roe v. Wade has been in place. The decision by the Supreme Court harkens back to subservience of women including the right to vote and own property. The court’s ruling also impacts access to healthcare for minority women. Clearly, the court did not consider impactful, discoverable conditions when a woman has an examination. Nor did the court consider the occurrence of incest and rape across this country that is more common than we may realize.

“The Roe v. Wade decision today is a threat to access to the judicial process and quality healthcare for underserved women.”

Florida Agricultural Commissioner Nikki Fried, a Democrat who is running for governor in the November election, 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.”

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody said in a tweet, “This is an important ruling for the sovereignty of our individual states. Our office will continue working to defend state laws that protect life.”

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said the following in a tweet: “Life wins! Today’s #SCOTUS decision courageously and rightfully returned power back to the states where it belongs with their decision to overturn of Roe v Wade. In Florida we will protect life.”

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