Government officials react to Supreme Court's ruling to overturn abortion law

(KCBD) - The Supreme Court struck down Texas' widely replicated regulation of abortion clinics Monday in the court's biggest abortion case in nearly a quarter century.

The justices voted 5-3 in favor of Texas clinics that had argued the regulations were a thinly veiled attempt to make it harder for women to get an abortion in the nation's second-most populous state.

Below are statements from state and national officials.

Statement by the President on Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt

I am pleased to see the Supreme Court protect women's rights and health today. As the brief filed by the Solicitor General makes clear and as the Court affirmed today, these restrictions harm women's health and place an unconstitutional obstacle in the path of a woman's reproductive freedom. We remain strongly committed to the protection of women's health, including protecting a woman's access to safe, affordable health care and her right to determine her own future. Women's opportunities are expanded and our nation is stronger when all of our citizens have accessible, affordable health care.

Governor Greg Abbott today issued the following statement on the Supreme Court's ruling on HB 2:

"The decision erodes States' lawmaking authority to safeguard the health and safety of women and subjects more innocent life to being lost. Texas' goal is to protect innocent life, while ensuring the highest health and safety standards for women."

Lt. Governor Patrick Statement on US Supreme Court Ruling on HB2

Today's United States Supreme Court ruling striking down House Bill 2 (HB 2) is a devastating blow to the protection of the health and safety of women in Texas. HB 2 was passed during the 83rd Texas legislative session to ensure the health and safety of women by holding abortion clinics to the same standards as ambulatory surgical centers while also requiring practitioners to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facility.

Now abortion clinics are free to ignore these basic safety standards and continue practicing under substandard conditions.  By its ruling, the Court held that the ability of abortion clinics to remain open – even under substandard conditions –outweighs the state's ability to put women's health and safety first.

Despite today's devastating impact on women's health care, and as the proud author of the sonogram bill and co-writer of HB 2, I remain committed to protecting women's health and safety.

Below is Sen. Charles Perry's statement regarding the recent SCOTUS ruling on HB 2.

"Today 5 activist judges on the Supreme Court struck down key provisions of Texas' pro-life omnibus bill. This law not only protected unborn life, but required that doctors be qualified when providing life threatening procedures and that these procedures be done in a safe environment.

As we approach 60 million state-sanctioned abortions since Roe v. Wade, I continue to pray for the soul of our nation and that the people of this country will not allow the government to continue to devalue life.

This fight is not over, next session we will revisit this issue to ensure both women and unborn children are protected."

In reaction to today's United States Supreme Court decision overturning Texas' abortion law (HB2), State Representative Chris Turner (HD101 - Grand Prairie) released the following statement:

"Today marks a landmark victory for Texas women and a strong rebuke of Texas Republican leaders and their misplaced priorities.  The United States Supreme Court  has sent a powerful message to lawmakers across our nation that they may not pass restrictive, unconstitutional barriers to reproductive healthcare.  The rejection of this ill-conceived law will help ensure that Texas women once again have access to safe, legal reproductive health care.  Now that this case is decided, the Legislature should stop trying to find new ways to deny health care to Texans and instead start creating pathways to expanded health care access."

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt:

"Today's ruling sets a dangerous precedent for states like Texas, which the Constitution makes clear should be free to pass laws that are in the best interests of our citizens. Commonsense requirements that abortion clinics be held to the same standards as other medical facilities put the health of the patient first, and today's decision is a step back in protecting the well-being of mothers across our state."

Today, following the Supreme Court's decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, which struck down some of the country's most restrictive anti-abortion measures, Hillary Clinton issued the following statement:

"The Supreme Court's decision in Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt is a victory for women across America. By striking down politically motivated restrictions that made it nearly impossible for Texans to exercise their full reproductive rights, the Court upheld every woman's right to safe, legal abortion, no matter where she lives.

"I applaud everyone who flooded the Texas Capitol to speak out against these attacks on women's health, the brave women and men across the country who shared their stories, and the health care providers who fought for their patients and refused to give up.

"Our fight is far from over. In Texas and across the country, a woman's constitutional right to make her own health decisions is under attack. In the first three months of 2016, states introduced more than 400 measures restricting access to abortion. We've seen a concerted, persistent attack on women's health and rights at the federal level. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has said women should be punished for having abortions.  He also pledged to defund Planned Parenthood and appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade.

"Today's decision is a reminder of how much is at stake in this election. We need a President who will defend women's health and rights and appoint Supreme Court justices who recognize Roe v. Wade as settled law. We must continue to protect access to safe and legal abortion – not just on paper, but in reality."

In reaction to today's United States Supreme Court decision overturning Texas' abortion law (HB2), State Representative Chris Turner (HD101 - Grand Prairie) released the following statement:

"Today marks a landmark victory for Texas women and a strong rebuke of Texas Republican leaders and their misplaced priorities.  The United States Supreme Court  has sent a powerful message to lawmakers across our nation that they may not pass restrictive, unconstitutional barriers to reproductive healthcare.  The rejection of this ill-conceived law will help ensure that Texas women once again have access to safe, legal reproductive health care.  Now that this case is decided, the Legislature should stop trying to find new ways to deny health care to Texans and instead start creating pathways to expanded health care access."

SEN. KONNI BURTON STATEMENT ON WHOLE WOMEN'S HEALTH V. HELLERSTEDT RULING

"I am extremely disappointed with the Supreme Court's ruling today; however, members of the Texas Legislature like myself, who believe deeply in the value of every human life, will not yield in our efforts to provide the highest quality healthcare for women and our continued promotion of a culture of life."

Texas State Representative Dustin R. Burrows (HD83) issued the following statement today concerning the Supreme Court's decision on HB2:

"I am very disappointed by the Supreme Court's decision that abortions do not need to be at medically safe clinics; or, that abortion doctors don't need to be qualified to practice at local hospitals.  I agree with Justice Thomas that today's ruling "exemplifies the Court's troubling tendency to bend the rules when any effort to limit abortion, or even to speak in opposition to abortion, is at issue." This decision will be remembered as a clear case of judicial activism where the Court completely disregarded its obligation to apply the rules in a neutral fashion, regardless of personal political beliefs."

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