SAN DIEGO — The Supreme Court has ended constitutional protections for abortion that had been in place nearly 50 years in a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Overturning the landmark case will now make abortion a state issue rather than federal.
Local and state leaders are sounding off over the ruling.
Mayor Todd Gloria
“This is a dark day for our nation. The Supreme Court has failed in its core duty to provide equal justice under the law. A woman’s right to reproductive freedom, including abortion, has been recognized for half a century and now is being rolled back by Justices who are catering to the country’s right-wing extremists. I am outraged and horrified — but undeterred.
“Here in California and in San Diego, I pledge to do everything within my power to preserve reproductive freedom and the privacy rights every American should be able to enjoy.”
Nora Vargas
As someone who has been at the forefront of the reproductive justice movement, fighting for access to abortion for 30 years, it’s a shame we’ve gotten to this moment in time. Today’s actions are disheartening, but I want to make sure everyone is reminded that access to abortion is safe, legal and accessible. Every resident of San Diego County who needs an abortion will have access. Every Californian who needs an abortion will have access and anyone coming to California seeking an abortion, is welcomed and will have access to an abortion.
Abortion is healthcare. Protecting reproductive rights and access to abortion will continue to be a health care priority to me. Today, I stand in solidarity with advocates across our county and our nation, with a broken heart. The fight continues. We will continue to organize, mobilize and fight to defend our right to access safe, legal abortions.
Nathan Fletcher
“This is a dark day in our country as constitutionally protected rights that have been in place for almost half a century have been erased. This decision will create uncertainty where there was clarity. Today’s ruling is one that none of us hoped to see, but one we all feared could occur. We must use this tremendous setback as motivation. It’s time to fight forward, to fight for what is right, and work together to fight injustices against women and all people.
“In California, we have safeguards in place to preserve your right to choose. Your reproductive freedom is safe here, and your County is committed to preserving reproductive healthcare and protecting your right to choose.”
Terra Lawson-Remer
"Time for a reproductive rights constitutional amendment in the state of California. Now.
Time for us to lend a helping hand to the hundreds of thousands of women trapped in states where our bodies are not protected, where our health and autonomy are subjugated."
Rep. Darrell Issa
“Today is a great day for the cause and the principle of life.
"A clear majority of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States appropriately upheld its core purpose in our structure of self-governance: To discharge their duties faithfully and impartially under the Constitution. This is always the right way and the best way for the High Court to function.
"Judges hold a most precious power. They must be independent. They must interpret our laws. They must not make laws or rewrite laws. Judges must interpret our statutes as written. They must interpret the Constitution as written.
"I will always stand for life. And I will always support and defend our Constitution."
Rep. Scott Peters
#SCOTUS’ anti-freedom decision to overturn #RoeVWade is dangerous & regressive. But we can’t give up. Voters have the power to demand change by electing pro-choice, pro-environment, and pro-gun safety reform candidates across the nation. We will take this fight to the ballot box.
Rep. Mike Levin
This decision was made possible by Republicans’ confirmation of far-right justices in recent years. It affirms that who we put in power affects our most fundamental rights, and it’s more important than ever for all voters to make their voices heard in November.
Rep. Juan Vargas
“Today's Supreme Court decision is fundamentally wrong and extremely disappointing,” said Rep. Vargas. “The Court's conservative majority has turned back the clock on our nation's progress, impacting millions of women and restricting their access to reproductive health care. Roe v. Wade was the law of the land, and overturning precedent could now jeopardize other hard-fought legal victories, including LGBTQIA+ rights, racial equality, and more. I'm proud that my home state of California has introduced legislation allowing Californians to continue making their own reproductive health care decisions. However, millions of women across the country now face a different reality. This is a disappointing day, but the fight is not yet over. I'll continue working to ensure that our nation always moves forward, not backward.”
Governor Gavin Newsom
The Supreme Court has stripped women of their liberty and let red states replace it with mandated birth. This is an attack on American freedom. CA, OR and WA are creating the West Coast offensive. A road map for other states to stand up for women. Time to fight like hell.
Cardinal-designate Robert McElroy
“Today is a day to give thanks and celebrate. Catholic social teaching holds that life begins at conception, which is a belief shared by millions of Americans regardless of religious faith. The ruling by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization affirms that belief and recognizes the ability of states to regulate abortion to protect the rights of the unborn.
“While we celebrate this decision — the culmination of prayer and decades of legislative advocacy, life-affirming events, committing time and resources to pregnancy centers, and walking with families facing an unplanned pregnancy— in many ways, our work has just begun.
“We must work to ensure that California law protects the rights of the unborn. And we must emphasize that being pro-life demands more than opposition to abortion.
“It demands we do everything we can to support families, to provide access to quality healthcare, affordable housing, good jobs and decent housing.
“It means making sure parents and families have access to affordable childcare, so that being a parent doesn’t force women and families to drop out of school or leave the job market.
“It also means reinvigorating our adoption system, to make sure there are options for women and families who are unable or unwilling, for whatever reason, to take on the responsibilities of parenthood.
"Support for children and families cannot stop at birth."
California Senate Leader Toni Atkins
“I share the searing fury felt by the majority of Americans who are angry and scared for what this Supreme Court decision means—for the lives of their daughters, granddaughters, and loved ones. For the lives of everyone who will be left without options as a result of this regressive decision. With this ruling, the Supreme Court has turned its back on safety and equality. But in California, those values remain firmly rooted. Here, pregnant individuals and their families will always be entitled to dignity, understanding, and reproductive choice.
“During my time running a women’s health clinic, I saw firsthand what lack of access meant. I listened to and learned from a distraught mother whose daughter died after an illegal abortion, and helped women understand all of their options when they thought they had none. We will not be shoved back into the dark days of desperate decisions. Abortion is health care and the decision to have one lies solely with the patient. California will not leave people vulnerable to the tyranny of a loud minority.”
CA Representative Kevin McCarthy
Every unborn child is precious, extraordinary, and worthy of protection. I applaud this historic ruling, which will save countless innocent lives. The Court is right to return the power to protect the unborn to the people’s elected representatives in Congress and the states. In the days that follow, we must keep rejecting extreme policies that seek to allow late-term abortions and taxpayer dollars to fund these elective procedures. Much work remains to protect the most vulnerable among us.
Rep. Sara Jacobs
“This decision is outrageous and has dangerous and far-reaching implications for Americans’ right to privacy and bodily autonomy,” said Congresswoman Jacobs. “We cannot let this stand. Congress needs to codify the right to an abortion, and we need to do everything in our power to immediately protect the individuals at risk in the states where the right to make our own decisions about our own bodies is criminalized.”