Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh leaders react to Supreme Court striking down Roe v. Wade

Duolingo CEO and co-founder Luis von Ahn has released a statement on Twitter.

"To all Pennsylvania politicians: I love that @duolingo is headquartered in Pittsburgh and that y'all use it as an example that successful tech companies can start here. If PA makes abortion illegal, we won't be able to attract talent and we'll have to grow our offices elsewhere."

The CEO of Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania said she is heartbroken by the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. 

"Just reading it and seeing it, knowing the constitutional right to abortion has been overturned was just heartbreaking," CEO Sydney Etheredge said. "And so devastating and realizing we are in a post-Roe world."

Etheredge said patients reached out on Friday to express their concerns, but she said Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania is still going to provide services.

City Controller Michael Lamb has released this statement.

"Today's Supreme Court decision overturning Roe sets a reckless precedent.  Make no mistake: this decision is dangerous and will put women's lives at risk.  Bodily autonomy is a human right. 

"I will do whatever I can to fight for reproductive freedom for women in Pittsburgh, across the Commonwealth, and in all 50 states.  I also call on the Pennsylvania state legislature and the United States Congress to act and codify abortion rights."    

Bishop David Zubik, the leader of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, has issued this statement.

"Those of us who have worked and prayed to protect unborn children are profoundly grateful that the Supreme Court of the United States has determined that there is not a constitutional right for abortion.

"In response, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will continue to support and encourage legislation that protects unborn children.

"We support women with crisis pregnancies and young families who struggle to raise their children. We offer medical and social assistance through Catholic Charities and collaborate with additional groups that provide childcare, life skills, education, shelter and help with other basic needs.

"Now, more than ever, our parishes are encouraged to participate in Walking with Moms in Need, a project of the U. S. Catholic bishops that prepare every parishioner to assist someone who needs support to carry or raise a child.

"We also offer Project Rachel, a ministry of healing for women who have had abortions and those who have supported them in that decision.

"We pray for many lives to be saved. It is time for a healthier national conversation about pregnancy and parenting, one that recognizes the real difficulties and creates ways to support pregnant women and to welcome children."

The Republican, who is running against Josh Shapiro to be the next governor of Pennsylvania, has issued this statement.

"Roe v. Wade is rightly relegated to the ash heap of history. As the abortion debate returns to the states, Pennsylvania must be prepared to lead the nation in being a voice for the voiceless.  

"While this decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a triumph for innocent life, it must not take our focus away from the key issues facing Pennsylvania families.  

"Pennsylvanians will not be distracted by the hysterics of the left as they exploit this ruling to try to fulfill their far-left agenda. As they struggle with all-time record-high inflation, the people care deeply about the price of gas and groceries, as well as out-of-control crime and good-paying jobs – which is exactly why I will prioritize these issues as their governor."

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - More reactions from local politicians rolled in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, this time it was Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

"I'm the father of eight, including six daughters," he tweeted. "My wife and I worked hard to ensure that every one of our children were treated equally and had the same opportunities. Today, the [Supreme Court] has taken us backwards with this decision."

"It takes away my daughters' autonomy and that of every other woman in this country. It's staggering and unfathomable that attacks against women like this are coming from the highest Court in the land."

"I'm committed to work, and now even more motivated, to ensure that we elect people across the board in November who will protect and further women's rights in this country, not subvert them."

Later, Fitzgerald released a formal statement, which you can read below.

"The decision by the Court today eliminates the constitutional right to an abortion nearly 50 years after that was settled law and is a clear reflection of the politics of the current Court. It is quite obviously an attack against women and the right to bodily autonomy and privacy.

"Today, Pennsylvania continues to offer reproductive health services and the Governor has made it clear that he will continue to protect the rights of women and pregnant people, abortion access and reproductive health care. But those protections are not guaranteed and it's upon us to ensure that we have leaders in office that reflect our beliefs.

"We all have an opportunity to make our voices heard, the ability to protect a woman's right to choose, and can make it clear what we expect of our leaders - today and at the ballot box in November. Without action by all of us, this decision can be the beginning of continued efforts to erode the rights of all."

Greensburg Catholic Diocese Bishop Larry Kulick has released a statement in the form of his first Pastoral Letter.  

It reads in part: "Although our language has evolved as science and technology have developed, the Church's moral foundation on the issue of life, from conception to natural death, has never changed."

To read the full letter, click here.

WASHINGTON (KDKA) - West Virginia Democrat Joe Manchin responded to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization with shock and disappointment.

"I am deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade," he said in a statement. "It has been law of the land for nearly 50 years and was understood to be settled precedent."

Two of the justices that voted to overturn Roe v. Wade were Justice Brett Kavanaugh and Justice Neil Gorsuch, two of former President Trump's Supreme Court nominees that the Democrat voted to confirm.

"I trusted Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh when they testified under oath that they also believed Roe v. Wade as settled legal precedent and I am alarmed they chose to reject the stability the ruling has provided for two generations of Americans."

Reaction to the ruling is coming in from the state's U.S. representatives who are on both sides of the political aisle.

Democratic Rep. Mike Doyle said, "The #SupremeCourt decision to overturn #RoeVsWade rejects decades of established precedent & ends the right of 30 million women to make their own healthcare decisions."

Republican Rep. Mike Kelly, of Butler County, put out this statement on Twitter.

"Today's Supreme Court ruling is a major victory for the pro-life movement, but our work has only begun. All little boys & little girls deserve a chance at life, and this ruling ensures they will get that chance. The right to life is not just for some of us. It is for all of us. 

"I want to speak directly to those who have had abortions and struggle with their decision: you should know that forgiveness and grace – for yourself and others – will help heal those emotional wounds.  

"As we move forward, I encourage everyone to remember a core tenet of this country that still holds true today: each of us has the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, has issued a statement. It reads in full:

"The Dobbs decision will go down as a shameful moment for our country and for the Court. Today, five Supreme Court Justices upended fifty years of settled law and subjected the health and private lives of millions of American women to the whims of politicians.

"As a result of today's decision, every American's personal freedoms now depend on the state in which they live. Here in Pennsylvania, decisions about your bodies will now be left to elected officials in Harrisburg– giving those politicians more power than women in our Commonwealth.

"Let me be clear: For now, abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania. Our laws have not changed with this ruling and abortion is permitted in Pennsylvania through the 23rd week of pregnancy, and afterwards when necessary to protect the life or health of the mother. I plan to continue to defend doctors' ability to practice medicine and women's right to privacy against any efforts to enforce a defunct rule mandating women notify their husbands of their personal decisions. 

"Unfortunately, I can't give that same assurance to the women in places like Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, and other states across our nation. Wheels are already in motion to ban abortion in more than half of our country. I can promise you that if patients travel from those states into Pennsylvania – I will fight to protect them and their doctors from extreme politicians attempting to illegally interfere. 

"While this decision has no immediate impact here in Pennsylvania, it opens the door for our legislature to ban or criminalize abortion by simply passing a law—because there are no longer federal protections. I will fight any attempt to erode women's rights in our Commonwealth.

"To the doctors and patients in Pennsylvania who are worried about how this decision will impact them, know that the full force of my office is dedicated to protecting legal access to abortion in our Commonwealth. 

"I will stand firm in protecting a woman's right to choose — and anyone who tries to threaten or undermine the fundamental freedoms of Pennsylvania women will have to go through the Office of Attorney General first."

Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey called it "an attack on the civil and human rights of our entire country."

His full statement: "Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is an attack on the civil and human rights of our entire country. Abortion is healthcare and denying the right to bodily autonomy of women, trans men, non-binary, and disabled people in America is stripping them of their fundamental right to privacy. Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania and I will do whatever it takes to protect and defend that right in Pittsburgh and across our entire Commonwealth. We must ensure that people can make decisions about their bodies, their lives, and their futures and all of us must recommit ourselves to the work of making America more just and equal for everyone."

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is also now the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, said in part, "It is unjust. It is wrong. And I'm going to fight it with everything I've got."

HARRISBURG (KDKA) - As the Supreme Court issued its ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which dismantled the landmark Roe v. Wade case ensuring federal abortion protection for women, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf responded, letting Pennsylvanians know that this does not have an effect on the commonwealth.

"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," Gov. Wolf said in a statement. "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"

Since taking office, Gov. Wolf has promised and has continued to veto any anti-abortion legislation in Pennsylvania.

Following the ruling both United States senators from Pennsylvania reacted on Twitter.

Democrat Sen. Bob Casey released this statement:

"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."

He also put out this tweet.

While Republican Sen. Pat Toomey issued this statement.

"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."