Rep. Subeck Praises Dane County Court Ruling That Abortion is Legal in Wisconsin

MADISON – Last night, Dane County Judge ruled that an 1800s-era law that many interpreted to be a complete ban on abortion does not apply to consensual abortions, but only to the “intentional criminal act of feticide.” For over a year following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health striking down the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision, abortion was unavailable in Wisconsin due to a lack of clarity surrounding the 179 year law.

Representative Subeck, who for several sessions has sponsored legislation that would remove the law from statute, released the following statement:

“This ruling affirms what many of us in the legislature have been saying long before the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe vs Wade: that abortion is and should be safe, legal, and available without judgment for all who need it.

This is another victory for reproductive health care in Wisconsin, know that our reproductive freedom is not secure as long as extreme anti-abortion Republicans remain in control of our legislature and as long as anti-choice politicians and activist judges continue their involvement in our reproductive healthcare decisions. This is why we still must pass the Restore Roe Act to repeal the 1849 law. Republicans will continue their quest to apply this law to abortion and enforce a complete ban on our right to safe and legal abortion care.”

Rep. Subeck has represented the 78th Assembly District since 2015 and serves as Chair of the Assembly Democratic Caucus. 

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