Norton Condemns Supreme Court Decision Overturning Roe, Says D.C. Woman Are Now at Unique Risk

Press Release

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), a former constitutional law professor and Supreme Court practitioner, condemned the Supreme Court's decision overturning Roe v. Wade. Norton said not only has the constitutional right to abortion been revoked, but the decision calls into question whether the Supreme Court will overturn other longstanding and recent precedents protecting unenumerated rights of individuals. She also noted that the decision presents a unique threat to abortion access in the District of Columbia because of Congress' plenary legislative authority over D.C.

"I am outraged by the Supreme Court's decision today," Norton said. "Congress must immediately codify the right to abortion in federal law. The decision is also a reminder to the country that D.C.'s lack of statehood means D.C. is subject to the whims of Congress. Republicans have repeatedly used D.C. to try to impose policies they cannot or do not have the support to impose nationally. A future Republican Congress may try to ban abortion in D.C., thinking they can get away with it because it would only apply to D.C. residents. They are wrong. We will never allow that to happen."

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