Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea released the following statement in response to reporting that the Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade:
“Like many Idahoans, I am appalled to see reports that the Supreme Court is overturning Roe v. Wade. Idaho is one of 13 states nationwide with a ‘trigger law’ designed to go into effect if Roe is overturned. If this happens, the reproductive rights and fundamental freedoms of Idahoans will immediately be dismantled and stripped away.
Idaho’s Republican lawmakers have introduced increasingly cruel and extreme forced pregnancy and birth legislation including state-mandated transvaginal ultrasounds, cash bounties for the families of rapists, and even first-degree murder charges—punishable by up to life in prison, and in some cases, the death penalty—for patients and their doctors.
For 50 years Idahoans have had the protection of Roe blocking the most radical urges of the Republican supermajority from becoming reality. The Roe ruling is the only thing that has prevented Idaho’s Republicans lawmakers from eliminating access to safe, legal abortions and privacy to make health care decisions in consultation with loved ones and medical professionals—free of overreach from the state or federal government.
In my lifetime, these rights have never been more uncertain. But let me be clear: Idaho Democrats will continue to fight for the reproductive rights and freedoms of all Idahoans for as long as it takes. We will stand with the majority of Idahoans who believe people should have access to all of the reproductive health care options available, including abortion.
This November, personal freedom, bodily autonomy, and health care will be on the ballot. The only way to protect these rights is to vote for Democrats at the local, state, and federal level.”
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For more information or interview requests, contact:
Avery Roberts, Communications Director for the Idaho Democratic Party
208-305-5610 or avery@idahodems.org