Democratic Mayors Association Statement on Reports of Supreme Court’s Draft Decision to Strike Down Roe v. Wade

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Democratic Mayors Association (DMA) board issued the following statement in response to reports that the United States Supreme Court has drafted a decision to overturn Roe v. Wade: 

“We are deeply concerned about recent reports of a draft opinion that may reverse a women’s right to choose and make decisions regarding her reproductive health. If this draft opinion holds, it will create an immediate danger to the wellbeing and healthcare of women, especially women of color and impoverished communities who will suffer the most. Beyond that, it would negate nearly 50 years of progress and be a dangerous step back for our nation, gravely impacting generations to come. 

Democratic Mayors firmly believe that women deserve the freedom to make decisions about their bodies and that Conservatives’ political schemes should not dictate it. Abortion is a fundamental healthcare right, and we must protect access for all Americans.   

Now more than ever, we must stand together and work to protect these rights. We urge Congress to take immediate action and protect Americans’ reproductive rights. This moment is also a clear reminder that elections matter and that we must turn out to vote and elect Democrat pro-choice candidates up and down the ballot,” said DMA President and Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. 

“If true, the Supreme Court decision is devastating to women. Our bodies are our own. Elections matter,” said DMA Vice President and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego in an online statement. 

“Banning abortion only means banning safe abortions. If accurate, the draft opinion shows the Supreme Court plans to send healthcare in the United States back to a time we should never revisit. Women will die and their health and reproductive futures will be compromised. 

It could not be more important that voters turn out in primaries and in November to elect candidates who will protect the right of women to make their own healthcare decisions,” said DMA Vice President and Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti. 

“It appears our worst fears about this Supreme Court may come true, and women will be robbed of the Constitutional right to exercise control over their bodies. If Roe V Wade is overturned, we must do all we can to secure reproductive freedom. I will stand up and fight with everything I have to protect this fundamental right,” said DMA Vice President and San DiegoMayor Todd Gloria.

“Women across the country must mobilize to overturn the Senate filibuster and restore democratic rule in this country so that the common-sense views of the vast majority of Americans will prevail on this important issue.  Women will never turn back the clock and give up these rights, which were hard-won with blood, sweat, and tears. They will never turn back the clock to a time when people other than themselves determined when and how they had a child.  I call on Congress to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act immediately,” said DMA Treasurer and Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway.

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About the Democratic Mayors Association

The Democratic Mayors Association (DMA) is comprised of Mayors in cities of 30,000 or more – a diverse coalition of innovative leaders who get things done. DMA mobilizes Mayors on behalf of progressive issues and unites them with a common voice to take on the most critical challenges communities face. To learn more about DMA, visit democraticmayors.org or follow us on Twitter @DemMayors.