Noticiero Movil

protestors hold signs in front of U.S. Supreme CourtPro-choice and pro-life protesters gather outside of the U.S. Supreme Court after release of the Dobbs v Jackson decision on June 24, 2022. Credit: Humberto Sanchez/The Nevada Independent

Supreme Court overturns right to abortion, igniting the 2022 campaign season

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The Supreme Court issued an expected opinion Friday overturning a 50-year constitutional right to abortion and igniting an issue that could play a significant role in the November midterm elections. 

Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), considered the most endangered Senate Democrat of the 2022 cycle, said it was “a devastating day for women in America.” 

“People in dozens of states across the country will live under extreme abortion bans, and access to critical care will be threatened all across the U.S.,” she said in a press release. “This is absolutely unacceptable. Women need the full range of reproductive health services to make important decisions about their physical and mental health, their bodies, their economic future, and their families’ well-being.”

Her Republican opponent, former Attorney General Adam Laxalt, called the decisions a “historic victory for the sanctity of life and the principles of democratic self-determination.” 

“The Supreme Court has never had the expertise nor the authority to unilaterally legislate on abortion,” Laxalt said in a press release. “After more than 50 years, that responsibility is poised to finally return to its rightful owners: the American people and their elected representatives.” 

The race will be intense. Cortez Masto only won her seat by 2 percentage points and the GOP sees an opportunity. It could also determine control of the U.S. Senate, where the parties split the 100-seat chamber 50 to 50. Democrats control the Senate through President Joe Biden’s 2020 victory, which made Vice President Kamala Harris president of the Senate and a tie-breaking vote.

The Supreme Court decision is not expected to affect abortion access in Nevada, where the procedure is available during the first 24 weeks of pregnancy. That law went into effect after a 1990 referendum and would require another statewide vote to change.

Read the entire article on The Nevada Independent website.

This article was originally published on June 24, written by Humberto Sánchez, and shared with Noticiero Móvil thanks to our partnership with NV Indy.