The state’s Congressional delegation and state legislative leaders condemned the decision to overturn the 50-year-old Roe v. Wade decision that opens the door to abortion bans in many states.
Some pending bans in states make no exceptions for rape or incest with Texas giving individuals the right to sue people who aided an abortion.
President Joe Biden also issued a statement condemning the decision.
“Today’s decision is a devastating and direct attack on women across the United States,” said Delaware U.S. Rep. Blunt Rochester. “The legal underpinnings of the decision are profoundly misguided and deeply alarming. While abortion will continue to be protected in Delaware, the consequences of this decision will now be borne disproportionately by women of color and in rural communities across the country where access to health care is already hard to come by. That we knew this decision was coming does not blunt the feelings of anger, disappointment, and indignation we feel today – but we must now channel that anger into action. We must work to codify Roe at the federal level. We cannot give up. We will not go back.”
Delaware House Democratic leaders issued the following:
“Today’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade is something many have both feared and expected for months, but it makes this moment no less devastating and horrific. SCOTUS’ Dobbs decision undoes 50 years of legal precedent that has protected a woman’s right to an abortion.
“We in Delaware saw the writing on the wall a few years ago and began taking decisive action to codify the protections of Roe in our state code, protecting the right to an abortion in the event that the Supreme Court overturns the decision. In recent months, we have further expanded access to reproductive care through House Bill 320 and House Bill 455 to ensure that those in Delaware who need reproductive care can receive it.
“While we mourn the dismantling of Roe, we will continue to explore ways to further enshrine these protections and increase access to reproductive healthcare.”
The Delaware Senate Republican Caucus praised the decision. The caucus has become increasingly conservative and has no members north of the C&D Canal
Democrats have sponsored legislation strengthening pro-choice rights in Delaware as news of the High Court’s pending decision leaked out.
A majority of Americans were in favor of keeping Roe v. Wade in place, based on polling.
