Rep. Smith Statement on Supreme Court Draft Opinion Overturning Roe v. Wade

Statement

Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) today issued the following statement after a draft opinion from the United States Supreme Court showed that the Court may soon overturn Roe v. Wade, striping millions of Americans of their rights and endangering millions more.

"In an initial draft majority opinion obtained by the public, the United States Supreme Court has shown intent to overturn the precedent set by Roe v. Wade more than 50 years ago, which enshrined the constitutional right to an abortion. If this draft opinion becomes the final ruling of the Supreme Court, the Court will strip the rights of millions of Americans to make deeply personal and medical decisions about their own bodies and futures. As a staunch advocate for abortion and reproductive rights, this decision alarms me deeply. Americans must be aware of the threat that this potential ruling poses to all fundamental civil rights, not just access to abortions.

"To codify Roe at the federal level and safeguard abortion rights for everyone across the country, I voted for, and the House passed the Women's Health Protection Act, and I will continue to push the Senate to act on this critically important bill so it can be signed into law. In this moment of crisis, we must also call on our Senate colleagues to abolish the filibuster. If there is ever a time to do so, now is that time -- our civil liberties are on the line.

"I am proud to represent a state that has safeguarded the right to choose. Washington State is committed to protecting abortion rights for every person, and as Governor Inslee stated yesterday, our state will always be a beacon of choice for people seeking abortions from states where extremists have managed to ban abortion care.

"It's important to remember this opinion is a draft, not a final ruling. Abortion is still legal in many states across the country today. However, anti-abortion groups will continue to push for a federal abortion ban, which is their ultimate goal. This reality underscores the urgency of the moment --we must pass federal legislation so that no matter your zip-code or income, you have full access to abortion and reproductive care."

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