Wisconsin Legislators, Abortion Groups React to Supreme Court Ruling
By Michelle Clemens WBAY (GREEN BAY, WI) - The Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion Monday doesn’t just change Texas law, it could have an impact in Wisconsin as well.
Wisconsin was one of a number of states that followed Texas’ lead, implementing a similar law that regulated abortion clinics the same way.
That had Democrats in Wisconsin celebrating Monday. They said the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling is nearly identical to the Wisconsin law.
“If this law were to be upheld health clinics for women would have been closed down in the State of Wisconsin,” said Rep. Eric Genrich, D-Green Bay.
Republicans said they are disappointed.
“We’ll be following the rules of law, we disagree with the decision but we’ll watch, we believe the core of the law that we have in Wisconsin will be upheld,” said Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.
The Wisconsin law was struck down November 2015 by a U.S. Court of Appeals.
Republicans in the state have been pushing to get that overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.
“I’m very deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court would disregard something that is in the best interest for women’s health and safety,” said Rep. Andre Jacques, R-De Pere.
Some said it is unlikely the U.S. Supreme Court would hear a case that is so similar.
“While we can’t say anything definitively, the high ruling, the court’s ruling today gives us some indication that it’s highly unlikely that they’ll review the Wisconsin case,” Tanya Atkinson, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, said.
Despite that, anti-abortion groups said they will continue to fight to get their case heard by the high court.
“It’s women and unborn children who have lost out in this decision,” said Heather Weininger, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life.
The admitting privileges law was never fully implemented in Wisconsin, so residents won’t see any immediate changes.