Doug Mastriano on SCOTUS Overturning Roe v. Wade: ‘A Triumph for Innocent Life’

State Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, a Republican candidate for Governor of Pennsylvania, speaks at a primary night election gathering in Chambersburg, Pa., Tuesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By Patrick Berkery

June 24, 2022

Mastriano was among the Pennsylvania lawmakers who offered their opinion after the Supreme Court’s historic decision to let the states rule on reproductive rights.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano waited several hours after the US Supreme Court announced its decision to overturn Roe v. Wade before issuing a statement.

What followed was a somewhat subdued reaction from the noted anti-abortion extremist, who has made his radical stance clear time and again: No abortions, no execeptions. Not even in cases of rape or incest, or if the mother’s life is at risk.

“Roe v. Wade is rightly relegated to the ash heap of history,” Mastriano wrote. “As the abortion debate returns to the states, Pennsylvania must be prepared to lead the nation in being a voice for the voiceless.”

As he continued, the state Sen. from Franklin County seemed to be attempting to shift the focus away from reproductive rights, a defining issue of his campaign, in an attempt to position himself as a champion of “kitchen table” issues.   

“While this decision by the US Supreme Court is a triumph for innocent life, it must not take our focus away from the key issues facing Pennsylvania families.

“Pennsylvanians will not be distracted by the hysterics of the left as they exploit this ruling to try to fulfill their far-left agenda. As they struggle with all-time record-high inflation, the people care deeply about the price of gas and groceries, as well as out-of-control crime and good-paying jobs – which is exactly why I will prioritize these issues as their governor.”

Mastriano joined a chorus of other Pennsylvania lawmakers who shared their opinions in the wake of Friday’s Supreme Court decision.

Gov. Tom Wolf called the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade “a dark day for reproductive rights in America.” 

Republican State Rep. Stephanie Borowicz described it as “a new birth of freedom.”

Mastriano’s Democratic rival in the gubernatorial race, Josh Shapiro said it was “a shameful moment for our country and for the Court.” 

Wolf’s veto pen is the last line of defense for abortion rights in the state. Shapiro would offer the same protection, though Republican state legislators like Borowicz and state Sen. Judy Ward are trying to restrict abortion access using a constitutional amendment that would circumvent the governor’s desk. Republicans might not even need to go that route should they maintain control of the state Legislature and Mastriano wins the election in November

With that in mind, let’s take a look at how other state lawmakers on both sides of the aisle reacted to Friday’s decision.

Democrats

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti

“The overturning of Roe v. Wade is a devastating attack on equity and equality. It is a decision that will impact millions of women and child-bearing individuals across the country. We are not second-class citizen. Now is the time to take action and make sure your elected officials know where you stand on abortion access.”

State Sen. Maria Collett

“Today’s decision is not about protecting children, it is about controlling and subjugating women. Overturning Roe will most deeply affect those who are already vulnerable, adding unnecessary and insurmountable hurdles that will put them and keep them in poverty. We know that abortions provided under unsafe conditions and by untrained providers lead to high rates of maternal mortality. And we know that children born into families that are ill-equipped and unprepared to care for them are more likely to be victims of extreme poverty, neglect, and abuse.”

US Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon

“It’s not just women of child-bearing age who will be impacted by this misguided, dangerous decision. It will hurt women of all ages, transgender and non-binary individuals, family units of all shapes and sizes, and ultimately, entire communities. This decision will impact health care rights far beyond the decision of whether to terminate a pregnancy, including contraception, in vitro fertilization, and non-reproductive health care. By far, the greatest burden of this decision will fall upon those who aren’t white, wealthy, and well-connected. The policies advocated by right-wing extremists are already spreading across the country and have been particularly harmful to Black and brown women, our LGBTQ neighbors, and low-income families.” 

State Rep. Joanna McClinton

“Today’s decision will have an adverse impact on women’s access to healthcare and will result in higher maternal mortality rates—especially among women of color. Women have the right to bodily autonomy, and I will continue fighting to keep it that way in PA.” 

Attorney General Josh Shapiro

“As a result of today’s decision, every American’s personal freedoms now depend on the state in which they live. Here in Pennsylvania, decisions about your bodies will now be left to elected officials in Harrisburg– giving those politicians more power than women in our Commonwealth. To the doctors and patients in Pennsylvania who are worried about how this decision will impact them, know that the full force of my office is dedicated to protecting legal access to abortion in our Commonwealth.”

Gov. Tom Wolf

“This decision did not happen overnight. Right-wing extremists have been strategically planning to dismantle decades-long decisions to further their agendas and divide our country with policies designed to infringe upon our freedoms. They have done so one vote at a time, one election at a time across our beloved nation. We cannot allow this to continue.”

Republicans

US Rep. John Joyce

“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade is a victory for life, as well as the rule of law. This is a constitutional issue, and today’s ruling definitively affirms the right to life of unborn children.”

US Senate candidate Mehmet Oz

“I respect those with a different view, but as a heart surgeon. I’ve held the smallest of human hearts in the palm of my hand, and will defend the sanctity of life. I am relieved that protecting the lives of America’s unborn children will once again be decided by the people through their elected representatives. As we lift up life, we must focus on the needs of mothers and children, for whom this decision can be the greatest gift of all.”

US Rep. Scott Perry

“Today’s SCOTUS decision is a monumental victory for the unborn, and Constitutionally restores the rights of the States’ and Citizens’ to adjudicate this issue for themselves.”

US Rep. Guy Reschenthaler  

“I am overjoyed by today’s historic Supreme Court decision to protect the unborn. This is a tremendous victory for life by rightfully empowering the people.”

US Rep. Lloyd Smucker

“The Supreme Court has made the right decision, which will save lives. The Pennsylvania General Assembly and Governor Wolf should take action to protect the sanctity of life. In Congress, I will continue to support pro-life policies which protect the unborn.”

Author

CATEGORIES: Uncategorized

Politics

Local News

Related Stories
Share This