Action and Reaction to Supreme Court abortion ruling

WASHINGTON D.C. (WDEF) – The Supreme Court ruling today striking down Roe V. Wade has spawned immediate action and protest here at home.

The ruling sends the abortion issue back to the states.

In a nutshell, Tennessee has a triggering law that will immediately ban most abortions.  Georgia and Alabama will ask courts now to reconsider their restrictive new abortion laws in light of the new ruling.  And the abortion issue jumps to the top of the list for the next Governor’s race in North Carolina as Democrat Roy Cooper has vetoed abortion bans in his state.

In Chattanooga, pro-choice and local democrats are rallying at Coolidge Park tonight at 6PM.

We have gathered statements today from the Attorney Generals in both Tennessee and Georgia about their next steps following the ruling, plus other notable opinions.

Tennessee Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III

“Today, the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. It overruled the Roe and Casey decisions establishing a federal constitutional right to have an abortion.  Today’s decision restores to the states their authority to regulate and prohibit abortion.

Tennesseans, through the affirmative vote of their elected representatives, amended the Constitution a few years ago to confirm that the Tennessee Constitution does not provide a right to an abortion and leaves the issue up to the General Assembly.

As a result of today’s ruling:

• I will notify the Tennessee Code Commission in writing that Roe and Casey have been overruled, as required by statute.
• We have asked the full Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals to stay the district court’s injunction of the timing provisions in our heartbeat abortion law, so that the law will go into effect as soon as possible.
• In 30 days, after the issuance of the judgment, the 2019 Human Life Protection Act should go into effect in Tennessee.

To state the obvious: Dobbs is a momentous decision.  Our republic is founded on the rule of law.  Accordingly, we give respect and deference to the Court on occasions when its decisions align and support our state laws, and in cases when a decision might be contrary to Tennessee state law and what the majority of Tennesseans want, as was the case with the 2015 Obergefell decision.

Most importantly, after nearly 50 years, today’s decision gives the people of Tennessee a say on what the Court called ‘a profound moral issue.’”

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr

“I believe in the dignity, value and worth of every human being, both born and unborn. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs is constitutionally correct and rightfully returns the issue of abortion to the states and to the people – where it belongs.

“We have just filed a notice in the 11th Circuit requesting it reverse the District Court’s decision and allow Georgia’s Heartbeat Law to take effect.”

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee

“Today’s landmark Supreme Court decision marks the beginning of a hopeful, new chapter for our country,” said Gov. Lee. “After years of heartfelt prayer and thoughtful policy, America has an historic opportunity to support women, children and strong families while reconciling the pain and loss caused by Roe v. Wade. We have spent years preparing for the possibility that authority would return to the states, and Tennessee’s laws will provide the maximum possible protection for both mother and child. In the coming days, we will address the full impacts of this decision for Tennessee.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey

“Today is a giant step forward for our country as, after decades, Roe is finally overturned. Folks, after almost 50 years of standing up for unborn babies, our prayers have been answered.