Klinker, Campbell react to Indiana Supreme Court's abortion ruling
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LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Two women representing Greater Lafayette in the General Assembly reacted with dismay to Friday's Indiana Supreme Court ruling in favor of the state's near-total abortion ban and hoped for more private conversations between women and their doctors.
On Friday, the Indiana Supreme Court vacated a temporary injunction on Indiana's near-total abortion ban. Justice Derek R. Molter, writing on behalf of the court's majority, said the state has an interest in "protecting prenatal life," and there are "circumstances" in which enforcement of the near-total ban falls within the state's power, the Indianapolis Star reported.
The justice added that the state's Constitution "protects a woman’s right to an abortion that is necessary to protect her life or to protect her from a serious health risk, but the General Assembly otherwise retains broad legislative discretion for determining whether and the extent to which to prohibit abortions."
Chief Justice Loretta H. Rush and Justice Mark S. Massa sided with Molter, while Justice Geoffrey G. Slaughter agreed in a separate opinion. Justice Christopher M. Goff agreed in part while dissenting in a separate opinion.
More: Indiana Supreme Court: Lawmakers can ban abortion except to protect mother's health
More: A year after Roe v. Wade was overturned, this is what state abortion laws look like in US
Indiana Rep. Sheila Klinker, a Democrat serving House District 27, stated Friday afternoon she holds out hope that someday the decision of how a woman faces a pregnancy is more private.
“Last summer, we in the General Assembly heard testimony from women and health care providers about the need to maintain abortion access," Klinker said in a statement sent to the Journal & Courier. "While I’m happy to see exceptions — while narrow — still exist for the life of the mother and survivors of rape and incest, I’m hopeful that in the future we will allow this difficult decision to be left up to a woman, her faith advisers, her doctor and her family.”
Indiana Rep. Chris Campbell, serving House District 26, had arguably harsher words to say about Friday's ruling, stating the Indiana Supreme Court set women's rights back a half-century.
“The Indiana Supreme Court's decision this morning has reversed over 50 years of freedom, liberty, and bodily autonomy for Hoosier women," said Campbell, a Democrat, in a statement. "This strips them of their personal dignity to make their own, private medical decisions. Having a child is potentially the most serious choice individuals and families can make during their lives. No matter what, I remain committed to fighting for freedom of choice.”
U.S. Sen. Mike Braun, in a statement sent to the Journal & Courier, celebrated Friday's ruling.
“Life wins in Indiana," Braun said. "I’m proud that with today’s court decision, Indiana will continue to be a national leader for protecting the unborn and saving thousands of lives. I join the countless Hoosiers who helped win this victory for life in celebrating this historic day.”
Fellow Republican Rep. Greg Pence also saluted the decision on social media.
"The Indiana Supreme Court’s decision to uphold our abortion ban is a huge win for life — as it will save the lives of millions of innocent babies," Pence tweeted Friday afternoon. "This was the right decision both constitutionally and morally. Proud to see Indiana taking the lead to protect the most vulnerable!"
Indiana was the first state to pass legislation drastically limiting abortion access following the fall of Roe v. Wade, and the law bans abortion at zero weeks, with narrow exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities, plus the life and health of the mother.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Klinker, Campbell react to Indiana Supreme Court's abortion ruling
