Madden responds to Supreme Court abortion ruling
Rep. Maureen E. Madden June 24, 2022 | 4:01 PM
STROUDSBURG, June 24 – State Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, offered the following statement in response to Friday morning's U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade:
"I am mad as hell. Let's start there. As the unethically Trump-stuffed U.S. Supreme Court officially overturned Roe v. Wade in a 6-3 decision this morning, eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion, I was literally working with my staff to prepare for my Women's Day Expo in Stroudsburg tomorrow. I've taken a pause on preparations to reflect on today's decision, and, in short, I'm furious. Though we knew this was coming, it still stung to see the announcement flash across my phone.
"And the fact we are hosting a Women's Day Expo tomorrow is ironic. Because this decision – championed mostly by white, conservative men – uniquely harms women. As was the case before Roe v. Wade was enacted nearly 50 years ago in 1973 to protect a pregnant woman's liberty to choose, abortions will still happen. Only now, as was the case then, they'll be done without medical oversight and in so-called back alleys with significantly heightened risk to woman's health. From a Pennsylvania majority party that repeatedly trumpets the narrative of "Don't try to pass gun safety measures because those who want guns will get them anyway," the hypocrisy of trying to outlaw women's access to reproductive healthcare is striking.
"However, abortion remains legal in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. And, as I've done my entire life, and especially in my time as an state representative, I will fight to protect women's access to healthcare. I will fight to protect the right to abortion. And I will fight back against what I know will be an onslaught of anti-choice bills that will soon flood our General Assembly from extremist members who do not believe in the freedom to choose.
"I am mad now, and I promise you that rage I feel – that rage YOU feel – will help strengthen our resolve. The fight continues. And I am here for it. Stay strong, everybody. We need you now more than ever."