By the Associated Press and KFDI Staff
The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years – a decision by its conservative majority to overturn the court’s landmark abortion cases.
Friday’s outcome overturning Roe v. Wade is expected to lead to abortion bans in roughly half the states. The decision, unthinkable just a few years ago, was the culmination of decades of efforts by abortion opponents, made possible by an emboldened right side of the court that has been fortified by three appointees of former President Donald Trump.
The ruling came more than a month after the stunning leak of a draft opinion by Justice Samuel Alito.
Abortions are currently legal in Kansas. During the August primaries, voters will decide whether or not the Kansas constitution protects the right to an abortion.
Kansas Senator, Roger Marshall issued this statement following the ruling.
“As an OBGYN, I had the honor of delivering more than 5,000 babies. Because of these wonderful moments and experiences, I believe life begins at conception. In fact, this is why today’s historic decision signals a new beginning for millions of unborn American children…Hopefully, today begins healing the wounds the pro-abortion agenda ripped open on American society almost 50 years ago… I want to remind everyone that putting an end to Roe vs Wade simply places this emotion-filled issue into the hands of the citizens of this country and their elected state officials, as opposed to unelected members of the federal judiciary… While the Democrat Majority Leader called for violence during a pro-abortion rally speech on the steps of the Supreme Court, we as a nation are better than this. I urge all Americans to remain peaceful and respectful during the protests of this decision… Justice cannot and will not be served under the threat of mob violence so help us God.”
The following statement was issued by Congressman Jake LaTurner.
“Today is a monumental win for pro-life Americans across our country who have been fighting tirelessly over the last fifty years to protect the most vulnerable among us—the unborn.
Democrats’ extreme abortion-on-demand agenda does not accurately reflect the views of most Americans. Overturning Roe ensures state and local officials closest to the people they represent, not unelected judges in Washington, construct our nation’s abortion laws.
Unfortunately, this welcomed ruling won’t protect life in Kansas. It’s now more important than ever that Kansans reaffirm our commitment to protecting the unborn and vote to pass the Value Them Both Amendment to guarantee our state does not become a hub for unlimited abortions.”
Sharice Davids, who represents Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District, issued the following statement on Twitter:
“This is no longer hyperbole or hypothetical. For 50 years, we’ve been protected from the most extreme attempts to control people’s decisions about their bodies, but that protection is now gone and Kansas is at a major decision point. I urge folks to consider carefully what’s at stake. I will always work to protect Kansans’ rights to choose—starting by voting no on the amendment seeking to strip existing protections from our state constitution in August.”
And Gov. Laura Kelly said she continues to oppose what she calls “regressive legislation that interferes with individual freedoms.”
Continuing, Kelly said, “A woman’s reproductive health care decisions should be between her and her physician. I will continue to oppose all regressive legislation that interferes with individual freedoms or threatens the strides we’ve made in recent years making Kansas a constructive place to do business.”
