Missouri congressional delegation reacts to leak of Roe v. Wade draft decision
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COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The release of a reported draft of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could overturn the abortion rights guaranteed by Roe v. Wade drew immediate reaction from some of Missouri's congressional delegation Monday night.
The news outlet Politico late Monday released what it said was a draft opinion of the court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson, a challenge to Mississippi's abortion ban at 15 weeks.
Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-Harrisonville) and Sen. Josh Hawley focused on the unprecedented leaking of a Supreme Court draft decision, blaming the political left for the leak.
“This leak is outrageous and dangerous," Hartzler said in a prepared statement.
"I pray and remain hopeful the Supreme Court stays true to this potential decision, but this unprecedented, intentional leak is malicious and threatens the independence of our highest court.
"Our judicial system should never be intimidated by the woke Left.”
Hawley issued a similar statement.
"The left continues its assault on the Supreme Court with an unprecedented breach of confidentiality, clearly meant to intimidate," Hawley said on Twitter. "The Justices mustn’t give in to this attempt to corrupt the process. Stay strong."
Hawley also said the clerk who leaked the decision "should be disbarred. Right after the Court overturns Roe."
Rep. Billy Long, who represents southwest Missouri and is running against Hartzler in the Republican primary for Senate, celebrated the news.
“I was a senior in high school when Roe v. Wade was decided,” Long said in a prepared statement. “I didn’t understand abortion then, and I don’t understand it now. Killing an innocent human life is simply incomprehensible to me. I am optimistic that these reports are true, and that the Supreme Court will do the right thing, finally overturning this travesty of a decision. I have always stood up for the Right to Life, and will continue to do so.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-St. Louis) said it's time for Democrats to take action.
"Abolish the filibuster," she wrote on Twitter. "Codify Roe. Expand the Supreme Court. Protect abortion rights by any means necessary. We need all of the above. This is an emergency."
Missouri passed a law in 2019 that would ban most abortions if Roe is overturned.
