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 Roe v Wade fallout infographic
Graphic shows Supreme Court decisions that now face reversal.
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POLITICS

Fallout from Roe v Wade

By Duncan Mil

June 28, 2022 - The U.S. Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v Wade -- the constitutional right to abortion -- has raised fears among civil liberties groups that the ruling could lead to challenges to other rights.

On June 24, Supreme Court Associate Justice Clarence Thomas and five colleagues ruled to uphold a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks.

With the end of Roe v Wade, 24 U.S. states are sure to ban, with four others likely to ban abortion.

“The constitution does not confer a right to abortion,” Justice Thomas wrote in his concurring opinion, echoing his colleagues’ sentiments.

Justice Thomas also wrote, “In future cases, we should reconsider all of this court’s substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.” He also wrote, “We have a duty to ‘correct the error’ established in those precedents.”

The opinion is a marked shift from Justice Thomas’ public statements on reproductive rights 30 years ago. During his confirmation hearing in 1991, then-judge Thomas explained his position on Roe v Wade.

“I can say on that issue… I have no agenda,” Justice Thomas told the U.S. Senate under oath.

On Sunday, Republican Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, appearing on NBC News’ Meet the Press, said that members of the Supreme Court who misled Congress about their intentions to overturn Roe v Wade should face the consequences, including possible impeachment.

“It sends a blaring signal to all future nominees that they can now lie to duly elected members of the United States Senate in order to secure Supreme Court confirmations and seats on the Supreme Court,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

Sources
PUBLISHED: 28/06/2022; STORY: Graphic News
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