Roe v. Wade falls: Alabama leaders, organizations react to Supreme Court’s vote

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Alabama’s state and federal leaders, as well as other organizations, are starting to react to news that the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark abortion rights ruling that has stood for a half-century.

More reaction will be added as it becomes available.

Alabama Gov. 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.”

“The fight continues, though. Here in Alabama, we have been preparing for this day when the decision-making authority on abortion is rightfully returned to the states. In 2019, I was proud to sign into law the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, which is one of the strongest bans on abortion in the country. Currently, there is a halt by a federal judge on the enforcement of that law, but now that Roe is overturned, the state will immediately ask the court to strike down any legal barriers to enforcing this law. As I noted when I signed the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, every life is precious and a sacred gift from God. We will not relent in our efforts. Ensuring this 2019 law can be enforced is the next and very critical step to protecting our babies.”

“This is a historic day, and I could not be more proud as a governor, a Christian and a woman to see this misguided and detrimental decision overturned.”

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth

“As we celebrate today’s Supreme Court ruling, which overturns the abomination of Roe v. Wade and represents a significant step toward protecting unborn life, we should pause to remember and pray for the almost 64 million innocent souls that have been lost to the abortion-on-demand industry.”

“Alabama’s Republican Legislature has been preparing for this day, and with the nation’s strongest pro-life law already on our books along with an amendment opposing abortion cemented in our state constitution, unborn life has found a safe haven within our borders.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall

“Today is a truly historic day. The United States Supreme Court has, at long last, finally overturned its fatally flawed decision in Roe v. Wade.”

“The issue of abortion now returns to the States—and the State of Alabama has unequivocally elected to be a protector of unborn life.”

“Accordingly, I wish to immediately issue the following notices:

“Because neither the United States Constitution nor the Alabama Constitution provides a right to abortion, Alabama laws that prohibit abortion and that have not been enjoined by a court are in full effect. For those laws that have been halted by courts, the State will immediately file motions to dissolve those injunctions. Any abortionist or abortion clinic operating in the State of Alabama in violation of Alabama law should immediately cease and desist operations.

“Furthermore, any act of vandalism or violence against any crisis pregnancy center, church, or other pro-life entity in retaliation for today’s decision will be prosecuted by the Attorney General’s Office to the fullest extent of the law.

“I will have more to say on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the importance of this decision in due course.”

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama)

“The 1973 Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade was unconstitutional, and the High Court has now reversed that decision. It is our moral and ethical duty to protect the dignity of human life, particularly when it comes to the unborn. Today’s decision by the Supreme Court justly upholds the writings of our Constitution and allows us to preserve innocent human life. This is welcome news.”

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama)

“The Supreme Court decision is a victory for life and for Alabamians, like myself, who believe in the protection of the unborn,” said Senator Tuberville. “As a Christian, I believe life begins at conception, and that’s why I signed a ‘friend of the court’ brief in support of this law. This case reignited a discussion on the important role of the American family in our country and the need to protect life at every stage. I hope we don’t let this passion stop here, and we continue to discuss how we can protect the unborn and help vulnerable mothers.”

“After months of a disgraceful pubic pressure campaign and failed efforts from Democrats to force their extreme and unpopular abortion-on-demand agenda on the American people, I’m glad the Court didn’t bow to outside pressure and maintained their judicial independence.”

U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-District 2)

“The Dobbs decision affirming no constitutional right to abortion and leaving the matter to each state is the single greatest step to protecting life in generations and will save countless lives of unborn children. Since Roe almost five decades ago, 67 million lives have been terminated through abortion, and although I believe abortion anywhere is the taking of an innocent life, today is a huge victory for the pro-life movement and the Constitution.”

“The timing of this decision, as we debate how to address gun violence in this nation, is poignant. Our nation has a heart problem, and the cure is not a piece of legislation or court decision but to teach our children to value life. While today is a day to celebrate life, we must remember that government is merely a human institution to protect rights given by God, and no healthy nation can look to government as its savior or the solution to all societal problems. Please continue praying for our nation and for all our fellow Americans, regardless of where they stand on this issue.”

U.S. Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-District 4)

“Roe v. Wade was decided by appointed judges when I was seven years old, precluding elected legislative bodies from deciding this issue.”

“Therefore, today is a watershed moment in the fight for life. The Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is a landmark in the effort to protect the most vulnerable among us and guarantee their right to life and liberty.”

“Of course, this does not mean the end of abortions in the United States. The decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization only returns the responsibility of protecting the unborn to elected officials, and each state will govern independently on the issue, meaning that the fight for life will continue in many places across the country.”

“As a co-chair for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I believe this can be a turning point for Congress to expand our efforts to ensure a safe future for our nation’s children—born and unborn. I hope to see a shift towards adoptive services as an alternative to an abortion.”

“I pray for our nation and that this decision from the Supreme Court begins to bring our country back together as we protect the lives of the unborn.”

U.S. Rep Terri Sewell (D-District 7)

“Today marks a dark day for women’s reproductive rights in the United States. With this devastating decision overturning Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has reversed nearly 50 years of legal precedent and stripped away a woman’s right to make her own decisions about deeply personal health care matters. Empowered by the Court, extremist politicians in state legislatures across the country will now begin racing to criminalize reproductive health care. Make no mistake, our nation’s most vulnerable women will be hit hardest by this decision.”

“From voting rights to reproductive health care, this Supreme Court has shown that it is intent on rolling back the freedoms that our foremothers and forefathers fought so hard to secure. We cannot stand by as our rights are stripped away. It is incumbent upon Congress to act!”

State Rep. Chris England (Alabama Democratic Party Chairman)

“Because of laws passed by our Republican legislature, abortion services will likely be illegal in Alabama - a felony that could force doctors to face up to 99 years in prison for providing medical care to their patients, even in the case of rape.”

“Republican legislators and appointed judges think they should be sitting between you and your doctor while making medical decisions.”

“Republican politicians will claim this is a win for “life” in a state with high infant mortality rates, a Black maternal mortality crisis, and countless other public health crises. They refuse to expand Medicaid, providing free lifesaving healthcare access to Alabama families - or do anything else that actually sanctifies life for Alabamians. Now, their law will block abortion access in Alabama, negatively affecting women with the fewest resources the most.”

“While the Supreme Court has turned back the clock back decades on our freedoms - Alabama Democrats still stand strongly for Alabamians’ freedom to make their own medical decisions - especially their right to abortion.”

“In the meantime, we need Democrats in Washington to act and pass laws that protect abortion access for all Americans. We need federal action now.”

Alabama Republican Party

“Today, the fundamental human right to life won. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision correctly returns the issue of abortion back to the states where it belongs. Each state will now be able to determine how it will proceed on this matter.

“The Alabama Republican Party believes that every life is precious and should be protected and celebrated. I cannot communicate how excited I am about the possibility of correcting the tragedy of Roe v. Wade, and restoring the sanctity of life. It gives me hope in the ideals of individual liberty and protecting the rights of every person from the moment of conception to the grave.

“The Alabama Republican Party will continue its work with our state leaders on measures that will help expectant and new mothers, as well as the children of our state. We will also fight to cut bureaucratic red tape to make adoptions easier and more cost effective for families. We must help and protect both the born and the unborn, take care of those in need, and provide viable alternatives for those facing difficult situations. We care about and love both the mothers and the babies of our state.”

Margaret Huang, president and CEO of the SPLC Action Fund

“There have been significant moments in the Supreme Court’s history when it has issued shameful decisions that deny equal protection under the law to an entire group of people, and today is one of those days. The Court’s decision in Dobbs will have serious, long-term consequences for women and others. This terrible ruling also endangers other fundamental rights, putting many other communities at risk. The constitutional rights in jeopardy include the right to contraception and equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.

“Several states in the Deep South are now poised to enact repressive bans on reproductive freedom that will criminalize women and other people seeking reproductive care and target medical professionals servicing them. The decision is particularly harmful for those people living in poverty because they lack the resources to travel to a state where abortion is legal or pay for necessary medical procedures.

“Mississippi, where the Dobbs case originated, has the highest child poverty rate among all the states and one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the country. The failure of Mississippi legislators to expand postpartum Medicaid coverage for new mothers is reprehensible, while Mississippi legislators have sought to restrict abortion access. The decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is the culmination of a powerful, concerted movement to ensure that politicians control women’s bodies.

“Today’s decision flies in the face of the global progress to expand human rights protections for all people. While other countries have embraced the opportunity to expand human rights protections, the United States is a growing outlier with its efforts to deny basic human rights to more than half of the country’s population. Congress must pass legislation to restore the human right that Roe recognized almost 50 years ago.”

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