Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 6/20/22-6/24/22

 

Dear Community,

I am very rarely at a loss for words, but today I nearly am. Today, the Supreme Court voted 6-3 to overturn Roe v. Wade, effectively eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. 

Let me be clear: Today is a nightmare for our nation. The Supreme Court has made the barbaric decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case which upheld the right to an abortion in the U.S. for 50 years. The implications of this decision cannot be overstated –– abortion will be banned effectively in at least 22 states and give others the green light to enact further restrictions on reproductive care –– a ruling that flies in the face of what the public wants, even in the states that will soon move to ban abortion completely. 

We are in this position because of a decades-long, right-wing religious extremist campaign to take away our rights and control women. It is also the result of a failure of Democrats to do what needs to be done to protect abortion access and abortion rights. Today must be a call to action to use every tool possible at the state and federal level to expand and protect access to abortion.

Abortions will not end with this decision, only safe abortions will. Countless women will die as a result of the Court’s actions today. And it is Black, Latinx, LGBTQ+, immigrant, young, and poor individuals who will suffer the most.

Congress must codify the right to an abortion and repeal the Hyde Amendment immediately, without delay –– the legislative provision which bars the use of federal funds to pay for abortion, except in instances of rape or incest. While New York took critical steps to protect and expand abortion rights and access this legislative session, our work is far from complete. New York must provide continued support to people seeking care, abortion providers, and abortion facilitators, and pass the Equality Amendment.

The Supreme Court today no longer represents the interests of the American people nor can it be trusted to protect our civil liberties and fundamental rights. I reiterate my calls for Congress to expand the Supreme Court. 

Abortions are more than just life-saving healthcare — they provide individuals with autonomy and control over their bodies and lives –– the basic American right. We may have known this was coming, and the fight is not over, but as a member of the New York State Senate, as a New Yorker, as a Catholic woman, and as an American, I am horrified and am filled with rage.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi