Colorado lawmakers respond to Supreme Court overturn of Roe v. Wade
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Friday morning, Americans woke up to the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which has been in place for nearly 50 years. In 1973, Roe v. Wade guaranteed the right to an abortion nationally.
This comes nearly two months after Politico obtained a draft of a majority opinion written by Justice Samuel Alito that would strike down Roe V. Wade.
In Colorado, lawmakers have recently moved toward protecting the right to an abortion. In April, the reproductive health equity act was signed into law in Colorado, largely protecting access to abortion access in the state.
The legal measures in place here have turned Colorado into almost an "island" for abortion access.
In the hours following the announcement, several local and state Colorado lawmakers released statements on the Supreme Court's decision.
Sen. John Hickenlooper:
“For 50 years, the Constitution has protected a woman’s right to their own health care decisions. Today’s ruling shatters that freedom. It threatens not just a woman’s physical health and control over their own futures, but it also threatens to put them and their doctors in jail.
U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper
“The vast majority of Americans support the right to an abortion. Republicans should join Democrats today and vote to keep politics out of reproductive health care decisions. Let’s follow Colorado’s lead and protect the right to choose.”
Congressman Doug Lamborn:
“I applaud the Supreme Court for making the right decision! The 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, made half a century ago, was tragically wrong and caused insurmountable damage to our nation. Human life is precious from conception to natural death and this ruling will save countless innocent lives.
“In the days and weeks following this decision, I will work with my pro-life colleagues in Congress to continue to reject extreme policies that seek to allow late-term abortions and taxpayer dollars to fund these elective procedures. While today we are rejoicing, the fight now turns to the states where the American people must go on the offense for life.
“We must defend the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for every American - born and unborn. I will never waiver in the fight to protect the most vulnerable among us."
Congressman Lamborn
Colorado Republican State Party:
"Today is the best day. After decades of so many Americans fighting for every single life, today, the Supreme Court of the United States has finally declared that every child is worth saving and that every child must be protected. This brave decision by the Supreme Court will save countless lives and ensure that the United States is no longer listed among the likes of China and North Korea when it comes to countries with extreme abortion laws.
"I'm proud to be a member of the Pro-Life Party and the Pro-Life generation. As a mom, I know that this decision is an amazing step towards equal protection for every child. I hope this decision leads to a real conversation - between people on all sides - about how we as a country can best work together to further support our children, mothers, and families. Life is precious. I have no doubt that this is the right decision."
Colorado GOP Chairwoman Kristi Burton Brown
Colorado Democratic Party:
“If Republicans take the Governor’s Mansion this election, the abortion protections Coloradans count on will become a distant memory. These out of touch candidates have no problem putting lives in danger just to enforce a narrow religious view on the total population.”
Colorado Democratic Party spokesperson Kailee Stiles
