A chorus of Congressional Democrats and candidates are demanding an instant end to the Senate filibuster and legislation that would set abortion in stone following a report that the U.S. Supreme Court is poised to reverse Roe v. Wade.
Politico published what it stated was a draft Supreme Court viewpoint composed by Justice Samuel Alito for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case worrying Mississippi’s 15-week abortion restriction. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overturned,” the supposed draft viewpoint by Alito states, describing 2 landmark abortion judgments that produced a constitutional right to eliminate preborn kids in America.
Politico’s report triggered a political earthquake, with Republicans inviting the news— but expressing concerns over the unprecedented leak of a Supreme Court majority opinion — and Democrats squealing their outrage.
“If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years – not just on women but on all Americans,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a joint statement. “The Republican-appointed Justices’ reported votes to overturn Roe v. Wade would go down as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history.”
Several conservative Justices, who are in no way accountable to the people, have lied to the Senate, ripped up the Constitution, and defiled precedent and the Court’s reputation—all at the expense of women who could soon be stripped of bodily autonomy and constitutional rights. pic.twitter.com/0PaVWBD2oz
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 3, 2022
Numerous Democrats, consisting of a number of prospects for U.S. Senate, got in touch with the Democratic Senate majority to instantly end the legal filibuster– a 60-vote requirement to end debates and pass significant legislation. They likewise demanded that Congress pass legislation that would codify abortion rights in federal law, which would prevent state governments from enacting brand-new pro-life laws limiting abortion in the post-Roe America.
“Let’s be clear: The right to an abortion is sacred. Democrats have to act quickly to get rid of the filibuster to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act + finally codify Roe into law,” said Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman, a candidate for Senate.
Let's be clear: The right to an abortion is sacred.
Democrats have to act quickly – get rid of the filibuster to pass the Women's Health Protection Act + finally codify Roe into law.
We cannot afford to wait.
— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) May 3, 2022
“Control of the Senate has never been more important: it’s time to end the filibuster, pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, and fight like hell to make sure all Ohio families are free to make these critical decisions without interference from politicians in Columbus or Washington,” said Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), another Senate candidate.
Others echoed these needs, consisting of Senate prospects in Missouri, Wisconsin, and other states, in addition to many incumbent House legislators.
Democratic Senate candidates across the country are calling on the filibuster to be eliminated in response to Politico obtaining a draft of a SCOTUS decision striking down Roe v. Wade 👇 pic.twitter.com/PYmsB9nUwP
— Julia Manchester (@JuliaManch) May 3, 2022
“Democrats need to end the filibuster, codify Roe, and defend reproductive freedom,” said Wisconsin state treasurer and Democratic Senate candidate Sarah Godlewski.
Roe v. Wade wasn’t the beginning of women getting abortions. It was the end of women dying from unsafe abortions.
Democrats need to end the filibuster, codify Roe, and defend reproductive freedom.
That’s what I’m out here fighting for—because we sure as hell aren’t going back. pic.twitter.com/gRB9Z0knvR
— Sarah Godlewski (@SarahforWI) May 3, 2022
“Congress must pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade as the law of the land in this country NOW. And if there aren’t 60 votes in the Senate to do it, and there are not, we must end the filibuster to pass it with 50 votes,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).
“People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these- to codify Roe, hold corruption accountable, & have a President who uses his legal authority to break through Congressional gridlock on items from student debt to climate,” added Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
If we don’t, what message does that send? We can’t sit around, finger point, & hand wring as people’s futures + equality are on the line.
It’s time to be decisive, lead with confidence, fight for a prosperous future for all and protect the vulnerable.
Leave it all on the field.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) May 3, 2022
These demands are not realistic. Since Sens. Joe Manchin (D-W Va.), the 50-50 Democratic majority in the U.S. Senate does not have the votes to end the filibuster. and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are opposed to doing so. And Manchin, a pro-life Democrat, has already voted with Republicans to obstruct legislation that would codify Roe.
There is no rational reason to think Manchin will suddenly reverse his position after he has repeatedly refused to do so under massive pressure from his associates.
Joe Biden is well aware of this, which is why in a statement released May 3rd, he said that “if the Court does overturn Roe, it will fall on our nation’s elected officials at all levels of government to protect a woman’s right to choose. And it will fall on voters to elect pro-choice officials this November.”
“At the federal level, we will need more pro-choice Senators and a pro-choice majority in the House to adopt legislation that codifies Roe, which I will work to pass and sign into law,” Biden said.
H/T TheBlaze
