Kilmer Statement on Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Derek Kilmer (WA-06) released the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which ends the constitutional right to abortion:
“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court is outrageous – and tragically, a threat to reproductive rights and abortion rights everywhere. We know that at least 25 states are expected to severely limit or ban abortion in the wake of this ruling – and Republicans in even more states, including Washington, will now undoubtedly make efforts to limit access to reproductive health care. In addition, Republicans in Congress have made clear that they intend to pass a federal abortion ban, putting health and safety at risk.
Let me be clear: decisions about reproductive health care, including abortions, are best made by people in consultation with their doctors. These deeply personal decisions should not be interfered with or replaced by the judgment of politicians. That’s why I’ve strongly opposed efforts to roll back reproductive rights. It’s why I voted for the Women’s Health Protection Act to enshrine the rights granted under Roe v. Wade into federal law. I’ll keep pushing for federal action to protect reproductive rights.
I am deeply concerned about the threat that this decision presents for reproductive freedom and about the potential that this decision could lead to the erosion of further rights that we hold dear. We cannot – and should not – accept a future in which the next generation of Americans have fewer rights than their parents."