DNC Women’s Caucus Chair Lottie Shackleford, DNC AAPI Caucus Chair Bel Leong-Hong, DNC Black Caucus Chair Virgie M. Rollins, DNC Disability Caucus Chair Kerri Evelyn Harris, DNC Native Caucus Chair Clara Pratte, DNC Hispanic Caucus Chair Iris Martinez, and DNC LGBT Caucus Chair Earl Fowlkes issued the following joint statement released the following statement in response the Supreme Court’s draft opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade:

While this is not a final decision, and abortion is still legal in the United States, this draft demonstrates that the conservative majority and the Republicans who installed them have chosen ultra-partisan wish lists over institutional legitimacy and respect for the Constitution.

The far-right justices have shown they lack respect for precedent — stripping any real meaning from the bromides they offer about ‘settled law’ and ‘stare decisis.’ They have instead signaled their willingness to impose their unpopular worldview on everyday Americans. Their assault may not stop here. As written, this opinion opens the door for attacks on a wide variety of fundamental freedoms long thought to be settled law. 

The impact of a decision like this would exacerbate a two-tiered system of inequality, disproportionately hurting the very people our Caucuses represent. One where wealthier people would be able to access reproductive health care in other states while others would not be able to afford such a trip, compounding the barriers people of color face in accessing safe care.

But we will not stop. We will fight to elect more Democrats at every level of government, work to codify Roe into law and ensure this fundamental right is protected, and make sure every Republican answers to voters for their role in this dark day in American history.