Lubbock politicians praise Roe v. Wade ruling, while Planned Parenthood condemns it
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The U.S. Supreme Court’s historic decision Friday to overturn a landmark abortion ruling nearly 50 years after its enactment will bring changes for abortion access in Texas, and lawmakers and abortion providers statewide and here at home are weighing in on both sides of the debate.
The high court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will trigger Texas’ Senate Bill 8, a law passed in a recent legislature that will make providing an abortion a felony in the state. In response to the decision, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, which operates the Lubbock Planned Parenthood clinic, stopped providing abortions across the state Friday, although the organization had stopped providing abortions in Lubbock in 2021 after the passage of a city ordinance outlawing abortion in town.
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The Texas law will go into effect 30 days after the court issues a formal judgment in the case — a legal document that will come sometime after Friday’s ruling. Lubbock’s “Sanctuary City for the Unborn” ordinance also allows for criminal prosecution with the court’s decision. The Avalanche-Journal reached out to the city attorney’s office to clarify what that could mean for Lubbock specifically, but they were not immediately available Friday.
U.S. Rep. Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock, spoke with the Avalanche-Journal Friday from Washington, D.C., where he was celebrating what he calls a win for America and the Constitution.
“(It is a) monumental decision to overturn 50 years of a bad, unconstitutional ruling, and I think a great day for our country when you have justices that aren't trying to legislate, but they're trying to apply the original language and intent of the Constitution to a question, in this case, abortion,” Arrington said.
“I think it's a good day for the country, it's a good day for the Constitution and certainly a good day for unborn Americans,” he said. “If you believe life begins at conception, then those unborn citizens have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. So, it's a decision that I'm elated about and I support, and I think this court got it right.”
Lubbock lawmaker says Supreme Court decision consistent with West Texas values
Arrington said he believes the Supreme Court’s opinion is consistent with the values of many of his constituents.
“I think West Texas is characterized by people of faith, and this is not just a constitutional issue for most West Texans — it's a moral issue. I know that the vast majority of West Texans are praising God for answering their prayers that we would not have the laws of this land allow the termination of unborn children,” Arrington said.
State Rep. Dustin Burrows, R-Lubbock, represents parts of Lubbock and a number of counties in West Texas in the state House of Representatives and co-sponsored SB8. He also praised the high court’s decision in a statement Friday.
“This day is long overdue. Life is the most precious gift from God, and millions of lives have been ended before getting an opportunity to experience this gift. In Texas, the unborn will finally be protected for the first time in my lifetime,” Burrows’ statement reads.
“The Texas Legislature has continued to strengthen services across the state to help women access health care both prior to and after the birth of their children. If more needs to be done, I welcome that conversation.”
While local politicians and pro-life advocates are lauding the opinion, leaders of Lubbock’s Planned Parenthood clinic are condemning it.
More: Abortions cease in Texas after Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade
Ken Lambrecht, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, released a joint statement with the CEOs of Texas’ other two Planned Parenthood organizations Friday morning.
“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court erased nearly 50 years of history and its responsibility to uphold legal precedent. This deplorable ruling by the Court’s conservative majority strips Americans of their constitutional rights and further erodes abortion access in Texas,” the statement reads, adding that Planned Parenthood plans to continue providing other healthcare needs.
“The fate of Roe is not the fate of Planned Parenthood. Today our doors are open and they will remain open to serve Texans who need access to essential reproductive health care. Our priority will remain restoring and expanding access to that care, including abortion, for all Texans.”
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock leaders react to Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe V. Wade
