New York politicians respond to leaked Roe v. Wade draft opinion

New York Democrats reacted with anger and resolve after a leaked draft opinion obtained by Politico revealed the United States Supreme Court intends to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark case that legalized abortion throughout America.

“I am horrified by the apparent draft Supreme Court opinion leaked this evening that would overturn the right to abortion guaranteed by Roe v. Wade,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. “I refuse to let my new granddaughter have to fight for the rights generations have fought for and won, rights that she should be guaranteed.”

“For anyone who needs access to care, our state will welcome you with open arms. New York will always be a place where abortion rights are protected and where abortion is safe and accessible,” the governor added.

New York State passed legislation in 2019 codifying Roe v. Wade into state law, a move that guaranteed abortion would remain legal in New York even if the court were to ultimately strike it down. At the time, lawmakers cited that possibility as a motivation for the law.

“This draft decision is horrendously wrong and will kill women across the country,” Rep. Nydia Velázquez tweeted. “I won’t stop fighting until abortion is safe and accessible for all.”

In a joint statement with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said “If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years – not just on women but on all Americans."

"Several of these conservative Justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the U.S. Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court’s reputation," Schumer and Pelosi added.

Manhattan Rep. Carolyn Maloney called on the Senate to abolish the filibuster to enshrine abortion rights into federal law. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand also called for the end of the filibuster, encouraged Democrats to work on flipping legislative majorities in purple and red states, and said states like New York should open their doors to Americans from other states seeking abortions.

“We will not go backwards. It’s our body, our choice, and our vote,” state Attorney General Letitia James said. “We will continue to do everything in our power to protect the right to an abortion and Congress must act immediately to do the same.”

Mayor Eric Adams tweeted: “This potential assault on their freedom by right wing extremists cannot stand. We’re ready to fight like hell.”

"People elected Democrats precisely so we could lead in perilous moments like these," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. "If we don’t, what message does that send? We can’t sit around, finger point, & hand wring as people’s futures + equality are on the line."

Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres called the draft decision “one of the most disgraceful decisions in the history of the United States.”

House Democrats chair Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of Brooklyn said “the radical right stole two seats on the Supreme Court. And now the so-called majority apparently plans to rob women of their long-held reproductive freedom.”

“If SCOTUS overturns Roe v. Wade, women’s lives and health will be at risk,” state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli tweeted. “It’s unconscionable that the court would set us backwards.”