West Michigan lawmakers’ reactions to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade predictably followed political lines.
Republicans, like Congressmen Bill Huizenga and Peter Meijer, cheered the decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson case for saving “unborn lives” while Democrats warned that Americans’ freedoms have been trampled.
The court in a 6-3 decision issued Friday, June 24, overturned the federal law guaranteeing a woman’s right to an abortion.
Related: In momentous decision, SCOTUS reverses ruling that made abortion access a right
Huizenga, R-Zeeland, said the decision was one that “common sense, pro-life Americans have been waiting for.”
“This ruling confirms there is no constitutional right to end the life of an innocent, unborn child,” Huizenga said in a prepared statement.
Huizenga told CNN he believes “people will be surprised” to learn that each state will revert to whatever abortion law was on the books before the Supreme Court legalized abortion nationwide in 1973.
For Michigan, that means abortion is legal, but only because there’s a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the state’s 1931 law that bans most abortions. The law that bans the procedure except to save a woman’s life and offers no exceptions in the case of rape or incest has been challenged by Planned Parenthood. Another lawsuit filed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer that challenges the law is before the Michigan Supreme Court.
“I will continue to stand up for the unborn in the days ahead and stand against those who seek to enshrine policies that embrace abortion on demand,” Huizenga said in his statement.
Related: Abortion is still legal in Michigan. It might not stay that way.
Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, hailed the Supreme Court’s decision for “returning power back to the states, the American people and the lawmakers chosen to represent them.”
“I have long maintained that our nation’s laws and policies should reflect a commitment to the sanctity of human life at every stage, and this ruling is a tremendous step toward upholding this crucial moral responsibility,” Meijer said in a prepared statement.
On the other hand, state Rep. Rachel Hood, D-Grand Rapids, said it was a “tragic and frightening day” and vowed to fight to reverse the decision.
“Today marks one of the first times in decades that we have rolled back the freedom of people in the United States, rather than expanding our rights to live freely,” Hood said in a statement, adding “I won’t back down until my daughters can be assured their bodies are their own.”
Democratic state Rep. Terry Sabo of Muskegon also vowed “to fight this reprehensible decision and stand beside women in their critical fight for justice.”
“My wife, my daughters, my granddaughters are now officially second class citizens, according to the Supreme Court,” Sabo said in a prepared statement. “This is a devastating blow to women’s fundamental freedom to make their own health care decisions.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said earlier that she would not enforce the 1931 law that she called “Draconian.”
Also on MLive:
Whitmer asks court for expediency in decision on 1931 abortion ban
Waiting 50 years, Michigan abortion opponents celebrate fall of Roe, vow to help women
Republican Legislature declares Roe ruling as win for federalism
Gov. Whitmer, AG Nessel condemn Roe decision, work to stop Michigan abortion ban
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