Courtney Statement on Reported Draft Supreme Court Decision to Overturn Roe v. Wade

Washington, DC — Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) issued this statement following media reports of a draft U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling:

"The 98-page draft opinion released last night, if accurate, is a full-throated attack on Supreme Court case law that has been painstakingly built over decades to protect the right of privacy for all Americans," said Courtney. "Make no mistake about it—Alito's mocking language targeting the ‘unenumerated rights' of women and doctors is not just an attack on reproductive choice, it's also an attack on the ‘unenumerated rights' the Supreme Court cited for contraceptives, interracial marriage, and same sex marriage. As Sandra Day O'Connor—a Reagan appointee—warned decades ago, the Supreme Court and our nation will pay a ‘bitter price' if the Court adopts this holding that will further deepen division in this country. At a time when more than 60% of Americans of all backgrounds still back the Court's decision in Roe vs. Wade, this decision, if it holds, would do exactly that."

Courtney added, "The House has acted to pass legislation to protect a woman's right to reproductive freedom. It is time for the Senate to do the same."

Courtney is an original cosponsor of the Women's Health Protection Act (H.R. 3755) to codify the precedent of Roe into law. The bill passed the House with Courtney's support on September 24, 2021.

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