Hartzler on SCOTUS' Politicized Decision

Statement

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (MO-04) issued the following statement after the 5-4 decision by the Supreme Court in the case of June Medical Services v. Russo to strike down Louisiana's law protecting women's health by requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

"Today's ruling is incredibly disappointing and will endanger women by allowing substandard care to be provided to them, risking the lives of every woman who comes through their doors. Sadly, five justices made an exception for abortion clinics allowing them to circumvent standard medical protocols. As applied, Louisiana's law demanded uniform standards to all physicians who provide similar services. Abortionists, like other physicians at ambulatory surgical centers, should have the ability to admit patients at a local hospital. Thanks to the decision of the Supreme Court, now they don't," Hartzler said.

"This ruling is the latest in a series of politically driven decisions by the Supreme Court over the last weeks. By striking down Louisiana's requirement that all abortion providers have admitting privileges at local hospitals when emergencies arise, the Supreme Court is engaging in deliberate political activity that supersedes states' rights to protect the women in their state by establishing its own hospital admitting privileges and their ability treat abortion executers with the same stringent requirements as any true medical professional offering surgical procedures.

"Instead, this ruling will put more women and unborn children in danger, allowing abortion clinics to circumvent standard medical protocols.

"The Supreme Court should never engage in making decisions on a jurisprudence heavily influenced by political outcomes. The American people get to decide those policies through democratic means by electing their local, state, and federal leaders, not by having these policies forced on them by a group of unelected judges. This decision only further underscores the importance of ensuring that Congress, and leaders across all levels of government, act on legislation that protects life and protects the safety of women.

"Especially disappointing is Chief Justice Roberts' decision to join the majority despite his admission that Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt, a Supreme Court decision that struck down a Texas law similar to the one in question today, was incorrectly decided in 2016. Instead, Chief Justice Roberts reneged on his earlier decisions and chose to succumb to political forces.

"I urge the Supreme Court, as an institution, to remember its constitutional duty to act independent of politics. Their relinquishing of their own institutional independence will have grave consequences for the health of our Republic and the integrity of our constitutional framework," Hartzler concluded.

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