Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) issued the following statement following a leaked majority opinion from Justice Alito which would allow the Supreme Court to overturn the landmark abortion case Roe v. Wade.  

“Abortion and reproductive rights must be safeguarded and protected,” said Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D (NY-16). “Last night’s leak of a conservative opinion from the Supreme Court outlining that the Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade is inhumane, and sets an extremely dangerous precedent that would cause the deaths of many. Not to mention the implications it would have across gender, class and racial lines. As of today Roe v. Wade is still the law and abortions are still legal, and we must keep that a reality. If this leaked draft decision is true, it spits in the face of poor people and people of color who would suffer from limited, legal access to reproductive resources. Resources that we know would remain available to the wealthy, regardless of what the Supreme Court decides.”

“The Supreme Court is willing to violate everyone's rights to further the extremist agenda of the far-right, without a care for the rights outlined in our Constitution. What we are seeing in the nation’s highest court is a clear signal that more inalienable rights will soon come under attack. As such this opinion is an assault on people everywhere. With 13 states enacting trigger laws in the event of Roe v. Wade being overturned, people will go out-of-state, to underground clinics, and more. Forced birth is deadly period, especially for Black people and people with limited access to healthcare and resources.” 

“The House passed the Women's Health Protection Act to codify Roe v. Wade, and now we need the Senate to end the filibuster so it can become law. In addition, we must expand the court to restore the legitimacy of the institution and protect the rights of millions of people in America. We are all feeling the effects of this decision, and we must continue to take care of each other throughout this time. I will do my part to hold my colleagues accountable and support people seeking reproductive healthcare everywhere. This is a frightening moment for our democracy, but we will overcome.”

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