Errington joins nearly 900 state legislators in support of Roe v. Wade

INDIANAPOLIS – State Rep. Sue Errington (D-Muncie) yesterday (Sept. 20) joined nearly 900 state legislators in signing an amicus brief organized by State Innovation Exchange's Reproductive (SiX) Freedom Leadership Council in support of legal abortion in the U.S. Supreme Court Case, Dobbs v. Women's Health Organization.

The Mississippi law at the heart of the case banned abortion services after 15 weeks of pregnancy — well before the 24-week precedent established by Roe v. Wade. Despite multiple lower courts’ rulings that the law was blatantly unconstitutional, the Supreme Court agreed to hold oral arguments to determine whether all pre-viability abortion bans are constitutional. In their amicus brief, state legislators argue that the Court’s failure to uphold the rule of law and precedent would result in disastrous consequences for women seeking abortions, as well as for their families.

Following the implementation of Texas's abortion ban, Statehouse Republicans in Indiana announced their intent to file similar legislation during the 2022 Legislative Session. Errington denounced the pending legislation as only truly banning safe abortions.

“Indiana has already been caught in the ripple effect from Texas's abortion ban, putting the rights guaranteed to Hoosiers through Roe v. Wade on the chopping block,” Errington said.

“I remember the time before Roe v. Wade, when women were forced into back alleys and often died there because the nation criminalized the right to choose. We cannot go back. We must not go back. I signed onto this amicus brief to keep abortion a safe and legal option in Indiana and thereby save Hoosier lives.”

The amicus brief was filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday, September 20. The court will hear the case of Dobbs v. Women's Health Organization on December 1, 2021.