Politics & Government

Possible Roe V. Wade Overturn 'Attack On Women' Says Watson Coleman

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman of NJ 12, said the leaked Supreme Court opinion "is an attack on poor and working-class women."

A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, early Tuesday, May 3, in Washington.
A crowd of people gather outside the Supreme Court, early Tuesday, May 3, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ 12) said the possible overturning of Roe v. Wade is an “attack on poor and working-class women.”

On Monday night, Politico obtained a leak from the Supreme Court — a draft majority opinion indicating five justices will overturn Roe (1973) and Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992). Read More: Roe V. Wade Will Be Struck Down, Politico Reports, Citing Leaked Draft

“The leaked draft opinion is an attack on poor and working-class women across the country,” Watson Coleman in a statement.

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“With Republican state houses across the nation passing “trigger laws” to eliminate a woman’s right to choose once a ruling comes down, the time for talk is over." She also called on her Senate colleagues to abolish the filibuster.

"The Senate must end the filibuster and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act into law now. The health and welfare of millions of women are at stake.”

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Earlier Tuesday, Watson Coleman reminded New Jersey residents that the state's Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act ensures abortion access in New Jersey, whether or not the Supreme Court overturns the landmark cases.

"I also want to make it clear that earlier this year New Jersey passed the Freedom of Reproductive Choice Act which codified a woman's right to choose into state law. Whatever decision SCOTUS makes, a woman’s right to choose will remain the law in NJ," Watson Coleman said on twitter.

Politico reported Monday that it had obtained the draft majority opinion written by conservative Justice Samuel Alito that strikes down Roe and Planned Parenthood v. Casey, the case that affirmed a woman's right to obtain an abortion.

Much can change before the court publishes its final decision, likely in June or July. As draft opinions are circulated among justices, votes can and have changed on controversial cases, Politico reported. Read more: Draft Roe V. Wade Opinion Would Cause Seismic Shift In Abortion Policy

During a news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Murphy said he was enraged by the news. "This is exactly why we took the step we did earlier this year in enshrining every New Jerseyan's full reproductive rights into state law." Read More: Abortion Access Would Remain In New Jersey If Roe v. Wade Overturned


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