Rep. Leger Fernández Statement on Supreme Court's Decision to Reverse 50 Years of Abortion Rights and Overturn Roe v. Wade

Statement

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández issued this statement after the Supreme Court majority voted to overturn Roe v. Wade:

"Today, the Supreme Court voted to strip away women's liberties, end 50 years of abortion rights, and overturn Roe v. Wade. This is a historic and unprecedented dark moment in our history -- it marks the first time a Supreme Court took away a recognized constitutional right. We dreaded this. It is devastating. States across the nation are moving recklessly to ban abortion; they are criminalizing women's health. The Supreme Court just ripped away our right to privacy in our bedrooms, marriages, and doctor's offices.

New Mexico recognizes that it is a woman's decision because we protect our gente; we honor our women. We believe in freedom and liberty over our health care decisions. We know that limiting access to legal abortion will increase maternal deaths, especially among Latinas and those who can't access reproductive care. Today's court decision is wrong and dangerous. My children and your children won't have the same rights as my generation. The people don't want this. The overwhelming majority are against this decision.

New Mexico expects an influx of patients who will need this lifesaving care. We must do everything to make sure they get the care they need. Congress must codify the right to choose under law as soon as possible. Nuevo Mexicanas should know that I'm committed to protecting a woman's right to make her own health care decisions, and this fight is far from over.

This decision opens the door to unraveling multiple other constitutional rights, including marriage equality and contraceptive care. Where does it stop? The Supreme Court has already told us that they intend to go further. This decision will have impacts that go beyond anything we can imagine.

As Vice Chair of Communications for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I know that Latinas will bear the brunt of this decision. We already have some of the highest rates of maternal morbidity. My hermanas will die because of this court decision. The extreme justices on the Supreme Court have denied my hermanas health care in Texas and other states. My hermanas will suffer. The Supreme Court has stolen the rights of women."

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