Seacoast Politicians Condemn Potential Roe. vs. Wade Overturn

The U.S. Supreme Court has confirmed that a leaked draft about overturning the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision is authentic, as Seacoast area politicians weigh in on the impact of such a ruling.

Politico obtained an unprecedented copy of an unreleased draft showing that the court voted to strike down the 1973 landmark ruling, including a majority opinion by Justice Samuel Alito that states “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start."

"Yesterday a news organization published a copy of a draft opinion in a pending case. Justices circulate draft opinions internally as a routine and essential part of the Court’s confidential deliberative work. Although the document described in yesterday’s reports is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case," a statement from the court said.

Protesters from both sides of the abortion issue were in front of the U.S. Supreme Court as word of the leak spread.

Sununu: Committed to Upholding the Current Law

If Roe vs. Wade were struck down by the court, each state would set its own law on whether or not abortions are legal. New Hampshire state law currently makes it illegal to terminate a pregnancy after 24 weeks. An ultrasound would also be required.

“As a pro-choice governor, I am committed to upholding Roe v. Wade, which is why I am proud of the bipartisan bill headed to my desk this year that expands access. So long as I am governor, these health care services for women will remain safe and legal.” Gov. Chris Sununu said in a statement.

Democrat Maine Gov. Janet Mills also committed the state to keep abortions legal.

"I want to be very clear: unlike an apparent majority of the Supreme Court, I do not consider the rights of women to be dispensable. As long as I am Governor, I will fight with everything I have to protect reproductive rights and to preserve access to reproductive health care," Mill said in a tweet.

“The right to reproductive health care, enshrined into law by Roe v. Wade, is a fundamental New Hampshire value. This new report reinforces how now, more than ever, it is crucial that we elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November who will never stop fighting to protect Granite Staters’ reproductive rights.”

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said the Politico report sent "shockwaves", and put the health and safety of women in jeopardy.

"Nearly 5 decades of progress may be rolled back because of Republicans’ obsession with controlling women. Abortion isn’t a political platform - these are women’s lives, futures and bodies," Shaheen said.

Sen. Maggie Hassan called the potential ruling devastating for women’s freedom.

"With a woman's right to live as a free and equal citizen under attack, Congress needs to codify Roe v. Wade now more than ever," Hassan said.

Politics at Play

New Hampshire Democratic Party chair Raymond Buckley made the report a reason for Democrats to vote.

“The right to reproductive health care, enshrined into law by Roe v. Wade, is a fundamental New Hampshire value. This new report reinforces how now, more than ever, it is crucial that we elect Democrats up and down the ballot in November who will never stop fighting to protect Granite Staters’ reproductive rights," Buckley said in a statement.

Democratic gubernatorial challenger Dr. Tom Sherman was skeptical of Sununu's commitment to keep abortion legal.

"Pro-choice governors don't sign abortion bans into law. Parts of @GovChrisSununu's abortion ban are being walked back because of the brave testimony of numerous women. The governor never should have signed into law restrictions on their rights in the first place," Sherman said in a tweet.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNJ