Female Pennsylvania Lawmakers React to Roe v. Wade Opinion

Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Delaware County (CREDIT: PA House of Representatives)

By Patrick Berkery

May 3, 2022

The women serving Pennsylvanians in Harrisburg and Washington didn’t hold back after news broke that the Supreme Court had drafted an opinion to ban Roe v. Wade.

With the future of reproductive rights in the US already in danger, the news Monday that the Supreme Court had drafted an opinion to ban Roe v. Wade was unsettling.

The draft opinion basically states there is no constitutional right to abortion services and would allow states to more heavily regulate or outright ban abortions.

For now, there is no danger of that happening in Pennsylvania, with Gov. Tom Wolf’s veto pen at the ready.

But if the GOP maintains control of the state legislature and one of the four Republican frontrunners for governor – former congressman Lou Barletta, state Sen. Doug Mastriano (Franklin), lawyer Bill McSwain, and businessman and former Delaware County councilman Dave White – defeat Josh Shapiro in November, the possibility of abortion being severely restricted if not altogether outlawed in the commonwealth becomes very real.

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti (D-Delaware) took to social media to underscore the importance of Josh Shapiro winning in November:

Abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania. But if we want it to stay that way, I need you to vote like your life depends on it (pro-tip, it does) and get @JoshShapiroPA elected as our next governor.

(That’s all I can muster at the moment. Blind rage & outrage tweets to come later) https://t.co/a8RsREYxQj
— Amanda Cappelletti (@amandaforpa) May 3, 2022

State Rep. Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) echoed that sentiment:

My body! My choice! When #WomensRights are UNDER ATTACK by #SCOTUS – we MUST ELECT DEMOCRATS up and down the ballot! Can’t wait to elect @JoshShapiroPA + @AustinDavisPA!! 🗳🗳🗳🗳
— Joanna McClinton (@Joanna4PA) May 3, 2022

US Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon implored her colleagues in the US Senate to do their part for reproductive rights and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act:

Women were called hysterical for sounding the alarm about abortion rights. We were told Roe and Casey were settled law.

This leaked opinion shows we were right to be terrified. The Senate must move NOW to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act. https://t.co/OFcWlMWPye
— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) May 3, 2022

And US Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) vowed to keep up the fight for reproductive rights:

This is terrifying and confirms what we already knew: This extreme Supreme Court is hostile to abortion.

No. More. Filibuster. Excuses.

We must fight this attack on safe abortions and women’s health.

If this conservative Supreme Court overturns Roe — no rights are safe. https://t.co/YP4twyiW61
— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) May 3, 2022

Author

Patrick Berkery

Patrick Berkery is a reporter and editor based in the Philadelphia area who has covered Pennsylvania news for more than 25 years. Need a recommendation in Philly? He knows a place. Send all story tips to [email protected] and sign up for his newsletter here.

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