Pennsylvania leaders react to ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade

Jun. 24—The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday overturned the fundamental right to abortion established nearly 50 years ago in Roe v. Wade, a reversal that leaves states free to drastically reduce or even outlaw the procedure.

Pennsylvania elected officials released statements on the ruling Friday. Their full statements are below.

Note: This list will be updated as more statements are released.

Gov. Tom Wolf, Democrat

"First and most importantly, it is critical that everyone understands that abortion services are available and unharmed in Pennsylvania by today's Supreme Court action. Providers may still provide reproductive health care services and patients should continue the health care plan they've developed with their physicians.

"Nonetheless, I am deeply disappointed in today's Supreme Court opinion and the impact this decision will have nationwide. The right to bodily autonomy — and privacy as a whole — is under attack in this country. We must do more to protect the rights of women and pregnant people in every state across the country that doesn't have a governor willing to wield their veto pen.

"As we approach a critical election cycle here in Pennsylvania, I cannot stress enough how important it is to exercise your personal right to vote. Elections matter.

"This decision did not happen overnight. Right-wing extremists have been strategically planning to dismantle decades long decisions to further their agendas and divide our country with policies designed to infringe upon our freedoms. They have done so one vote at a time, one election at a time across our beloved nation. We cannot allow this to continue.

"Americans are feeling defeated and angry today, and I don't blame them. However, as long as I am governor, I vow to protect abortion access and reproductive health care in Pennsylvania.

"To women and pregnant people in surrounding states and across the country where this isn't the case, you are safe here in the commonwealth."

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate

Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Democrat

"This is a devastating day in America. A woman's right to choose now depends on the state in which she lives, and the decision will be made by our next governor. Doug Mastriano will ban abortion with no exceptions. I will keep abortion legal.

"I will not let our daughters grow up in a world where they have fewer rights than their mothers and grandmothers had in Pennsylvania. The stakes in this post-Roe world are clear. Either we're going to safeguard their right to choose, or it'll be ripped away with no exceptions."

U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Democrat

"Today's decision upends almost a half-century of legal precedent and rips away a constitutional right that generations of women have known their entire lives. This dangerous ruling won't end abortions in this country, but it will put women's lives at risk. And make no mistake — this is not the end goal, it's just the beginning. Republicans in Congress want to pass federal legislation to completely ban abortion. Our daughters and granddaughters should not grow up with fewer rights than their mothers."

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, Republican

"The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization restores the American people's ability to determine abortion laws through their elected representatives, as the constitution requires. Precedents that are wrongly decided should be overturned, just as Brown v. Board of Education was right to overturn Plessy v. Ferguson. This ruling is a win for the unborn, the constitution and democratic governance."

Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, Democrat

"Deciding how and when to become a mother is a decision that should always be made by a woman and her doctor — not politicians. If there were any doubts left about what's at stake in this race, it became crystal clear today. The right to an abortion will be on the ballot this November in Pennsylvania.

"I will protect abortion rights. Dr. Oz will take them away. It's that simple."

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, Chester County Democrat

"For nearly my entire lifetime, Roe was settled precedent. In the almost half century since, I became an engineer, joined the Air Force, started a family, built a business and ran for Congress.

"I did these things knowing that there was always a choice. A choice that no longer exists.

"Today's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization strips away that long-established constitutional right to reproductive freedom.

"No longer can we say that all Americans are able to make their own health care decisions. Because today, all women have fewer rights than we did yesterday.

"But let us be clear: This decision is not the will of the people. The majority of Americans support access to abortion.

"Even amongst developed nations the U.S. leads in high rates of maternal mortality. Now, the health and safety of even more women, particularly women of color, is in jeopardy.

"As a member of Congress, I'm proud to have voted to protect abortion access. I assure you that I will vote as many times as I need to ensure that everyone has the freedom to decide what is best for themselves, their health, and their families.

"This heartbreaking, dangerous, and unprecedented decision will set us back nearly half a century, but we will not back down until our rights are restored."

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, Montgomery County Democrat

"I was 13 when Roe became law of the land.

"Fifty years later an extreme right-wing court has now ended the constitutional right to abortion — politicians can now control a women's body.

"I have tears of anger — girls like my 10 year old granddaughter have less rights than me at 13."

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, a Luzerne County Republican

"It's understood that this is a very sensitive and personal issue. The court, by overturning Roe v. Wade, has returned to its constitutional position of maintaining neutrality on the issue of abortion. States now need to craft legislation with respect to all human rights of the mother, father and the unborn. In most states, nothing has changed on the issue. In some states, very late

term abortions are now prohibited, with the exception of if the life of the mother is at risk. As I am pro-life, I hope states, and the people, pass legislation which assists new parents and single mothers with newborn programs and adoption options."

State Sen. Judy Schwank, Ruscombmanor Township Democrat

"Today's ruling is a severe blow to women across the country. A crucial right that has allowed women to make their own health care decisions has been stripped away. While abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania, we will see a renewed effort to ban or restrict abortion in the state legislature. Already, we have seen a constitutional amendment floated as an option to circumvent a potential veto. Make no mistake, this decision endangers the future of reproductive rights in Pennsylvania and for millions of Americans throughout the country."