It was with anger and deep mourning that I watched as the integrity of our Supreme Court degraded with the overturning of Roe v. Wade and its progeny this morning, undermining decades of legal precedent and hard-won battles for reproductive justice. This decision not only threatens the freedom and safety of women and people who give birth, but all of us. The rights previously recognized by the Supreme Court have underpinned other rights of autonomous decision-making and individual liberties, such as same-sex marriage and intimacy, interracial marriage, and the use of contraception—rights that are all now under threat.
Make no mistake—Roe v. Wade was never enough to solidify the right to access reproductive healthcare in the United States. Today’s disastrous decision was made possible by Congress’ failure to enact legislation protecting the right to privacy in reproductive healthcare, marriage, and other areas of life where the government has no business being involved. And while we knew today was coming, that does not make it any easier. Extremism has gripped all levels of our government, from state legislatures across the country to the Supreme Court of the United States. But we can—and have to—defeat it. We have to act.
As the next U.S. Senator from Oklahoma, I am committed to taking active measures to ensure the rights and equality of all Oklahomans and Americans. The next Senator from Oklahoma will have a crucial role in deciding the fate of our Constitutional rights. With so much at stake, it is imperative that Oklahomans elect the person who has the skills, knowledge, and experience to tackle these complex issues. Today, we mourn. Tomorrow and in the days to come, we fight! Let’s join together to ensure that our rights are protected for generations to come.
Original source can be found here.
