Gov. Doug Ducey has joined 11 other Republican governors, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade abortion ruling, AZ Central reported. Governor Henry McMaster led the group by filing an amicus brief that questions whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional in regards to Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The case is pending at the U.S. Supreme Court and involves a challenge to a Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
In a brief filed Thursday, the governors joined Mississippi’s argument that the 14th Amendment does not include the right to abortion and that the rulings in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey upset the constitutional balance between states and the federal government.
Ducey said in a statement, “The Constitution preserves the rights of the states by specifically enumerating the authority granted to the federal government. Unfortunately, almost 50 years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to ignore the Constitution and created policy which has led to the over-politicization of this issue for decades.
“Every single life has immeasurable value. That includes children who are preborn — and I believe it’s each state’s responsibility to protect them. It is time for the U.S. Supreme Court to fix their mistake and return this authority to the individual states as the democratic process intends. I’m proud to sign onto this brief to reaffirm Arizona’s commitment to protecting families and preborn children,” Ducey concluded.
In April, Ducey signed a controversial anti-abortion bill that makes it illegal to perform abortions based on fetal genetic conditions.
Reproductive rights activists criticized the governor’s inclusion on the Supreme Court brief. If Roe v. Wade were overturned, experts speculate that it could mean an almost immediate ban on all abortions in the state.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona commented on Twitter, “@dougducey is finally saying what we all knew. He wants to overturn Roe v Wade and ban access to safe, legal abortions.”
On Twitter, Planned Parenthood Action stated, “Overturning Roe would open the floodgates to states banning abortion, put politicians in control of people’s bodies, and force patients seeking health care across state lines.”
Other governors who joined McMaster’s brief include Kay Ivey of Alabama, Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas, Ron DeSantis of Florida, Brian K. Kemp of Georgia, Brad Little of Idaho, Kim Reynolds of Iowa, Michael L. Parson of Missouri, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, and Greg Abbott of Texas.
