When we debate issues we must have a commonly understood set of facts. This is particularly so when we debate such important issues as abortion.
Some on the right are saying that the Supreme Court threw the issue back to the states to decide, when it overturned Roe v. Wade. Set aside for the moment that the right of women to control their bodies is now subject to a vote of the people and the unfairness that a woman’s rights will vary widely depending on the ZIP code in which she lives. Those who say that the issue is now one for each individual state to decide, so we need not worry that a nationwide abortion ban will be imposed on Washingtonians, are simply wrong.
In Dobbs v. Jackson the Supreme Court held that a woman’s ability to access abortion is subject to the will of the people exercised through their elected legislators. Congress is a legislature.
In the event the Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives, take control of the Senate and return Donald Trump to the Oval Office, the House will pass a nationwide abortion ban. The Senate will suspend the filibuster rule and pass the ban. Then President Trump will sign it and abortions will be illegal everywhere in the U.S., including the State of Washington.
Melissa C. Batson
Monroe
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