A leaked draft opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court published in full by POLITICO reveals that the Supreme Court has voted to reverse Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, its egregiously unjust abortion decisions.
Americans United for Life applauds the Supreme Court’s courage in abolishing its abortion precedents, which have led to the deaths of more than 60 million Americans since 1973, and we encourage the Court not to waver despite the politically-motivated leaking of this draft opinion. The implicit intent of this leak is to pressure and manipulate members of the Court to alter their votes or otherwise water down the language of the final opinion—if the Court is truly the nonpolitical body that Chief Justice John Roberts has said that it is, the Court cannot bow to partisan pressure to change course for the sake of an illusory detente.
“Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs recognize the injustice and tragedy of abortion violence,” said Catherine Glenn Foster, President & CEO of Americans United for Life. “We stand alongside all Americans who have waited so hopefully and for so long for the Supreme Court to reverse Roe, to set America on the path to abortion abolition, and to restore justice to our nation. Today is a day for courage and hope.”
“The Supreme Court wishes to return the issue of abortion to the American people, and for that reason this draft opinion language is to be applauded,” said Steven H. Aden, Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel at Americans United for Life. “It is outrageous that this draft language was leaked, presumably by pro-abortion staffers within the Court. It is a cynical and naked attempt to pressure justices to alter course in Dobbs and to perpetuate abortion violence. The Court should maintain the moral high ground, stick to the clear and courageous language of this draft opinion, and not allow itself to be ruled by the expectations of pro-abortion activists or proxy media allies.”
“If this draft opinion is what the Supreme Court ultimately hands down in Dobbs, then it means state lawmakers have to get to work to enact strong state law and policy to protect life,” said Katie Glenn, Government Affairs Counsel at Americans United for Life. “Americans United for Life calls on state lawmakers to meet in special session the moment the Dobbs decision is officially released to enact the strongest possible pro-life laws.”
The Constitution does not confer a right to abortion violence, and the Supreme Court appears set to rightly recognize that states should be free to enshrine the most life-affirming laws possible for the protection of their people. Americans United for Life will continue to call for the total abolition of abortion, working with federal and state lawmakers to pass holistic pro-family, pro-mother and father, and pro-life law and policy, and working with state lawmakers to end the scourge of abortion violence and indifference to the good of human life everywhere that threat appears.
Americans United for Life (AUL) is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization that holds the distinction of being the first national pro-life organization in America—incorporated in 1971. It protects and defends human life from conception to natural death through vigorous legislative, judicial, and educational efforts.
