By abolishing national abortion rights, the Supreme Court sets the 2022 election on fire

The Supreme Court’s decision to abolish the widely supported constitutional right to abortion ignited a political firestorm in an already heated election year, less than five months away from several contests for Congress, state houses and governor. landed in time.

Historic Supreme Court ruling enables states to ban abortions. It allows Congress to outlaw abortion nationally for the first time in half a century, giving the winners of the 2022 elections new powers to determine whether abortion is legal.

Democrats vowed political revenge at the ballot box, with President Joe Biden immediately seeking to channel the backlash from voters by urging Democratic candidates to power in order to uphold a woman’s right to terminate a pregnancy Can keep

Biden said, “Voters need to make their voices heard. This fall, we should elect more senators and representatives who will once again codify a woman’s right into federal law. More state mandates to protect this right.” Elect leaders.” “This fall, Roe is on the ballot. Personal liberty is on the ballot.”

“You can have the last word. It’s not over,” he said.

In anticipation of the Supreme Court ruling, nationwide public support for keeping abortion legal in all or most cases hit a new high of 60% in a May poll by NBC News. In contrast, 37% said abortion should be illegal in most or all cases.

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, D.N.Y., who chaired the Democratic House campaign, “MAGA Republicans want to criminalize abortion in all 50 states, and a Supreme Court decision makes that possible with a law.” Hand, told reporters on Friday. “Democrats are going to defend Rowe vs. Wade. That’s the choice. It’s that simple.”

Republicans, who formed the court’s new 6-3 conservative supermajority, had a divided reaction to the ruling, some calling Roe v. Wade, while others downplayed its impact on the election in the competitive 2022 race.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who has used extraordinary tactics to make the Supreme Court more conservative, praised the decision as “courageous and correct.”

“This is a historic victory for the Constitution and for the most vulnerable in our society,” McConnell, who is expected to control the Senate this fall, said in a statement. McConnell and other GOP strategists highlighted the need to outlaw late-term abortion, a subcategory of the larger issue that voted in their favor.

But in Nevada, GOP Senate candidate Adam Laxalt said the ruling should not matter to voters because abortion is legal in the state.

“The people of Nevada have already voted to make abortion rights legal in our state, and the Court’s decision on Roe doesn’t change the law and won’t distract voters from unbearable prices, rising crime, or border crises. ,” said Laxalt. a statement.

The opposite was true in battlefield states, with Democrats moving in November to highlight the ruling and influence.

John Fetterman, the Democratic Senate candidate for Pennsylvania, said in a statement, “If there was any doubt left about what’s at stake in this race, it became clear today. Abortion rights will be on the ballot in Pennsylvania this November.” ” distinction with his Republican rival, Mehmet Oz. “I will defend abortion rights. Dr. Oz will take them away. It’s that simple.”

In Pennsylvania, too, the Democratic nominee for governor Josh Shapiro is running an ad highlighting GOP rival Doug Mastroiano’s support for outlawing all abortions, including rape and incest cases, in which he sees a lot of support for the Commonwealth. described as extreme.

Republican officials are believed to have high aspirations—including Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark. Clearly welcomed the court’s decision to ax abortion rights. But other conservatives were quick to reduce the chances of nationwide bans or criminalization of abortion, recognizing the unpopularity of such a move.

“This decision does not create a federal ban on abortion, as some of my colleagues have suggested,” said Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, RW.VA, in a statement, vowing to “oppose extreme legislation at the federal level.” . And the suggestion is that it should be left to the states.

Currently, Congress is at a standstill on the issue, lacking votes to codify or further prohibit abortion at the national level. cry v. Democratic-led legislation to ensure Wade protection has passed the House but lacks a route to pass an evenly divided Senate.

The Supreme Court decision prompted a rare joint statement from leaders of the Democratic National Committee and the party’s campaign committees for the House, Senate and governor, declaring that “the stakes for the November elections could not be higher.”

“With Republicans in power, states can make abortion illegal without exceptions for rape, incest, and the life of the mother, and women and doctors can be charged with a crime if they perform or perform abortions,” he continued. kept.

Former President Donald Trump, who nominated the three conservative justices who voted to end Roe v. Wade, took credit for the Supreme Court’s decision.

“Today’s decision, which is the greatest victory for life in a generation, along with other decisions announced recently, was made possible only because I promised, which nominated and combined three highly respected and strong constitutionalists. was confirmed in the United States Supreme Court,” said Trump, who has kept the door open to running again in 2024.