Legislators, candidates react to SCOTUS leak

May 4—WILKES-BARRE — Gov. Tom Wolf and area federal legislators and candidates Tuesday reacted strongly to the report of a leaked draft opinion that the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Wolf was adamant that he will defend abortion rights in Pennsylvania.

"A decision by the Supreme Court on Roe v. Wade will not have an immediate impact on Pennsylvania or its current laws," Wolf said. "Should this opinion become final, abortion access in Pennsylvania will remain legal and safe as long as I am governor. I will continue to veto any legislation that threatens access to abortion and women's health care."

Wolf went on to say that any decision to overturn Roe v. Wade "is an assault on the right to access safe, legal abortion services."

Wolf said, "Let's be clear: the issue is not whether we believe in choice, but rather who is going to make that choice. I believe that should be the person who is most closely involved in making this difficult decision — not lawmakers and judges. And I believe that's a right that applies to every person across this country.

"This draft opinion, if or when it becomes final, is a stunning, seismic reversal and will set back women's and birthing people's health care by decades. I am extremely concerned for women and birthing people in Pennsylvania and across this country.

Since taking office, Wolf has vetoed three different anti-abortion bills introduced by members of Pennsylvania's General Assembly and vowed to veto the rest.

Toomey: Leak undermines SCOTUS

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, said leaking a premature Supreme Court opinion — regardless of subject matter — "undermines the Court as an institution and erodes America's trust in this pillar of our constitutional structure."

Toomey said: "While the motive behind this leak is unclear, I'm concerned it was released as a political ploy to pressure Justices to change their views when the rule of law — not public opinion — should determine the outcome and reasoning of a case.

"I would encourage each of the Supreme Court Justices to disregard the resulting explosion of heated rhetoric from both sides of the political spectrum as they conclude their evaluation of this case, and I hope, with the leadership of Chief Justice Roberts, that the perpetrator of this gross breach in Court procedure is held accountable."

Sen. Bob Casey

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, said, "If this draft opinion becomes the final opinion of the Court, I have serious concerns about what overturning almost 50 years of legal precedent will mean for women in states passing near or total bans on abortion.

"Congress should be working to reduce the number of abortions and unintended pregnancies and doing much more to support women and families."

Rep. Fred Keller

U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Midddleburg, said, "Rarely do leaks like this happen at the Supreme Court, but this breach of confidentiality represents the undermining of the Court's ability to deliberate impartially on our nation's most pressing issues.

"While it is my hope that the Supreme Court will uphold the constitutionality of the Dobbs v. Jackson case that supports life by banning abortions 15 weeks after conception — setting the stage for Roe v. Wade to be overturned — we must ensure that leaks like this do not become a partisan tool to sway the opinion of the Court.

"In Congress, I have always fought for the dignity of human life. Nothing is more important than life. After nearly 50 years since Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, I am thrilled that we are closer than ever to delivering historic pro-life protections for the unborn."

Barletta: 'Long-awaited victory'

Former mayor and congressman Lou Barletta, Republican candidate for the GOP nomination for governor of Pennsylvania, said, "If this turns out to be accurate, it will be a long-awaited victory for unborn children. In the time since Roe v. Wade was handed down in 1973, tens of millions of babies have been killed, and all through the decades, the pro-life movement has fought to get to this point. If this draft ruling is indicative of the final majority opinion, it will save untold millions of innocent lives in the future."

"As I have made clear, I will not prejudge or predict what kinds of legislation may come before me, but I will be a pro-life governor, and I will sign pro-life legislation," he added.

Fetterman: 'Sacred' right

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for Toomey's Senate seat, said: "Let's be clear: The right to an abortion is sacred."

"Democrats have to act quickly and get rid of the filibuster to pass the Women's Health Protection Act and finally codify Roe into law," he said. "We cannot afford to wait."

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.