BELOIT – Today, State Representative Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) released the following statement reacting to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade in Dobbs v Jackson:
“As we feared after the leaked opinion in early May, conservative extremists on the U.S. Supreme Court have overturned nearly 50 years of precedent and put the lives of millions of Americans at risk.
“Just two days ago, Republicans here in Wisconsin abdicated their duty to the people of our state by refusing to repeal our state’s 1849 criminal abortion ban. By refusing to even discuss or debate this critical issue, they left Wisconsinites without access to safe and legal abortion. As we have heard time and time again from physicians, Wisconsin’s outdated law is dangerous and cruel – banning abortion even in cases of rape, incest, or serious medical complications. Doctors will now have to choose whether to risk their medical license and personal freedom or risk a patient’s life. A similar antiquated and draconian law in Ireland caused at least one woman to die.
“And this seems to be just the start. While striking down abortion rights, extremists on the Court made it clear that existing precedents that protect access to contraception and same-sex relationships and marriage could be next. They have already succeeded once, and we can be sure that they will not stop here.
“Abortion is healthcare and a decisive majority of Wisconsinites support the right to choose. My Democratic colleagues and I stand ready to protect that right in Wisconsin. Republicans in the Legislature cannot wait. Earlier this week, Republican legislators hid behind their leadership and claimed this discussion was premature instead of protecting the lives of Wisconsinites.
“Today’s ruling is horrific. Millions of Americans have lost their rights. I ask my Republican colleagues: ‘what will you do now?’”
