This article was originally published on Common Dreams.
Reproductive rights advocates on Thursday seized on an amicus brief signed by more than 200 members of Congress, including two conservative Democrats, asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe vs. Wade.
The brief was signed by 168 members of the House and 39 senators. The two House Democrats who joined their Republican colleagues, led by House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) in the effort, were Reps. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.).
Lipinski drew the ire of progressive Democrat Marie Newman, who is challenging him in the 2020 election.
“His position in Congress jeopardizes the health of women in IL-03 and across the country,” Newman tweeted. “My opponent does not trust women and is not fit to represent us.”
The brief was filed ahead of the court’s hearing on June Medical Services v. Gee, concerning a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital—one of numerous “TRAP” (Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers) laws passed in states in recent years.
Discrepancies over what constitutes an “undue burden” on patients seeking abortion care illustrate “the unworkability of the ‘right to abortion’ found in Roe v. Wade … and the need for the Court to again take up the issue of whether Roe and [Planned Parenthood v. Casey] should be reconsidered and, if appropriate, overruled,” the brief reads.
Alexis McGill Johnson, acting president of Planned Parenthood, said the Louisiana law and the amicus brief are both attempts to frame abortion care as unsafe.
“Asking the Supreme Court to reconsider overturning Roe is an assault on our basic rights, plain and simple,” tweeted Johnson. “Abortion is safe and legal, and we’re doing everything we can to keep it that way.”
Anti-abortion politicians are using every trick in the book to ban abortion. Asking the Supreme Court to reconsider overturning Roe is an assault on our basic rights, plain and simple.
Abortion is safe and legal, and we’re doing everything we can to keep it that way. https://t.co/7rATmkTbxd
— Alexis McGill Johnson (@alexismcgill) January 2, 2020
Pro-choice advocates condemned the brief, which some saw as the latest sign that President Donald Trump’s remaking of the judicial branch poses a serious threat to Americans’ right to abortion care.
I won’t hold my breath waiting for an apology from those who said that abortion rights supporters were being “hysterical” when we decried Brett Kavanaugh’s appointment to the Supreme Court as the possible end of Roe v. Wade. But here it is. They want to end legal abortion. https://t.co/5MRy8zgwjP
— Lauren Rankin (@laurenarankin) January 2, 2020
BOOM. 200 Republicans ask the Supreme Court to go after Roe v. Wade. It’s happening, people. This is what’s at stake in 2020. https://t.co/YTwCS7z1tG
— Steve Silberman (@stevesilberman) January 2, 2020
Along with Newman, a number of Democrats who are challenging some of the brief’s signatories in 2020 pointed to the document as evidence that anti-choice candidates must be defeated in the coming elections.
Shame on @RepDavid for joining in this effort to overturn Roe v. Wade.
As an emergency physician, I’ve been there when women had to make this heartbreaking decision, and it should remain between her & her physician. I’ll fight to ensure women have autonomy over their own bodies. https://t.co/X93jKIktDv
— Hiral Tipirneni (@hiral4congress) January 2, 2020
I can’t believe it is 2020 and I have to say this but: ROE v. WADE IS NOT UP FOR DISCUSSION. Stop trying to regulate women’s bodies. I mean, seriously. Stop. #OhioMike2020 pic.twitter.com/08Rd77Zqp9
— Mike Larsen for Congress (@MikeLarsenOH) January 2, 2020