Reaction to Supreme Court Roe v Wade decision divided along party lines

Posted 6/26/22

Reaction was swift, and predictable to Friday’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that made abortion legal in this country nearly 50 years ago. It was …

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Reaction to Supreme Court Roe v Wade decision divided along party lines

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Reaction was swift, and predictable to Friday’s Supreme Court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling that made abortion legal in this country nearly 50 years ago. It was predictable in large part because the decision had been anticipated for weeks, since a draft of the ruling had been leaked on May 3. Republicans and Conservatives were generally supportive of the decision, while Democrats and Liberals loudly condemned the decision.

“The New York State Conservative Party has been arguing for nearly 50 years that Roe v. Wade was a bad legal decision.,” said New York State Conservative Party Chairman Gerard Kassar when the draft ruling was first leaked.

Among those applauding the decision reached on Friday was Assemblyman Colin J. Schmitt (R-C-New Windsor) who is a candidate for New York’s 18th Congressional District.

“Today’s final Supreme Court decision in Dobbs vs Jackson returns the right to states and their duly elected leaders to decide abortion policy,” Schmitt said.  “I am a pro-life legislator and, like the vast majority of New Yorkers, I strongly oppose the state’s radical abortion law that allows late-term abortions up to the moment of birth and allows non-doctors to perform abortions.  Regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs and the overwhelming weight of public opinion, this law will, unfortunately, remain on the books.”

His opponent in the upcoming election, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan took an opposing view.

“This is a devastating decision that undercuts women's freedom, puts lives at risk, and rolls back decades of hard-won progress," Ryan said. "It's clear that now more than ever, we need champions in Congress who'll protect our freedoms and fight back against Washington extremism.”

Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (D-Cold Spring) who currently represents the 18th district but will be a candidate for election in the 17th, was also critical of the decision.

“Today's appalling decision to strike down Roe v. Wade means women in America will have fewer rights than their mothers had. Republicans and their activist judges want to take our nation backwards and rip away not only reproductive freedoms, but also gay marriage and other rights we have fought so hard for as a nation,” said Maloney. “I have always and will always be uncompromising in my view that the government has no right to tell a woman what she can do with her body.”

A statement released Friday by Planned Parenthood of Greater New York noted that abortion is still legal in New York State, thanks to the New York Reproducriuve Health Act of 2019.

“The Supreme Court has ended the federal constitutional right to abortion and overturned Roe v. Wade — turning its back on nearly 50 years of precedent. This dangerous and chilling decision opens the floodgates by allowing states across the country to ban abortion,” read the statement released by Planned Parenthood. “ Up to 26 states are poised to flip the switch on abortion rights, making this life-saving health care out of reach for people who already struggle financially to access affordable health services. This is in opposition to the will of 80% of Americans who want abortion to remain a constitutional right.”

New York State Attorney General Letitia James said that abortion services remain legal in New York, with the state providing public funding for abortion and requiring that insurance companies pay for abortions.

“The people of New York — and all those who may come here seeking care — have my word that New York state has been and will continue to be a safe haven for abortion access,” James said. “I will never stop fighting to protect the freedom to make our own decisions about our lives and futures.”

Approximately 100 abortion-rights supporters staged a rally in Newburgh’s Downing Park on Friday evening. Among the speakers were State Senator James T. Skoufis, State Senate Candidate Julie Shiroishi  and Assembly Candidate Christopher Eachus.