Temporary Relief: SCOTUS Remains a Threat to Abortion Rights

MADISON — As expected, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously decided Thursday that a small group of radical anti-choice activists did not have standing to sue to limit or end access to mifepristone, a medication commonly used to induce abortion and treat miscarriage. The plaintiffs did not have standing to sue because they suffered no harm, but the Court left the door wide open for future substantive challenges to the FDA’s authority and access to abortion. 

In response to Thursday’s decision, Sen. Kelda Roys (D-Madison) issued the following statement:

“This decision is a fake-out. The ultra-MAGA US Supreme Court, which was stacked by convicted felon Donald Trump to overturn Roe v. Wade, knows Republicans will lose the 2024 elections if voters know their plans to curtail abortion access nationwide. Their shameful decision in Dobbs has powered GOP losses in elections in every part of the country, and this politicized Court majority didn’t want to risk another electoral drubbing for Team MAGA, based on a weak case. They used a procedural argument to avoid restricting abortion access now, but court-watchers expect them to affirm future challenges to abortion access in the coming terms.

“We cannot forget the women and families who have suffered death and grievous harm because of Trump’s Court overturning Roe v. Wade. Every pregnancy has become a potential death sentence because of their decision, and contraception, IVF, and LGBTQ rights are in jeopardy.

“Since Trump’s hand-picked Justices overturned Roe, Wisconsinites have been living with legal uncertainty regarding access to abortion, contraception, IVF, and other routine and necessary healthcare. Trump and his cronies have outlined their plan to enact a nationwide backdoor abortion ban if he becomes President, without any action from Congress, by pulling back the decades-old approval of mifepristone, weaponizing the US Department of Justice against abortion providers, and reviving the 150-year old, long defunct Comstock Act.  

“Trump’s MAGA Justices are playing the long game – to make it easier for GOP politicians to win election in 2024, while inviting future court cases to halt abortion access nationwide. We cannot trust the Court or conservative politicians to protect our freedoms – they have shown they are eager to do so.”

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