Gov. Walz Signs Pro-Abortion Rights Executive Order

ST. PAUL, MN — Following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Gov. Tim Walz over the weekend signed an executive order to provide legal protections to people coming to Minnesota seeking an abortion.

"My office has been and will continue to be a firewall against legislation that would reverse reproductive freedom," Walz said in a statement.

"This order shows our administration’s commitment to protecting patients and health care providers. Our administration is doing everything we can to protect individuals’ right to make their own health care decisions."

Under the order, Walz will decline requests for the arrest of any person charged with a crime involving abortion in another state, unless the act would also constitute a criminal offense under Minnesota law.

Abortion remains legal in Minnesota up until the point of viability. Meanwhile, North and South Dakota have abortion bans that are set to take effect following the decision. Iowa and Wisconsin already have laws on the books that ban abortion.

"This ruling changes nothing in Minnesota today, tomorrow, or as long as I am governor," vowed Walz on Friday. "We will not turn back the clock on reproductive rights."