SCOTUS overturns ‘Roe v. Wade’, Orlando area politicians react to end of constitutional right to abortion

The Supreme Court released its expected ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on Friday, overturning the precedent set by the landmark case Roe v. Wade and effectively terminating the constitutional right to abortion access in the United States.

Justice Samuel Alito stated the effect of the court’s decision plainly while wrapping up his majority opinion.

“We end this opinion where we began. Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and [Planned Parenthood v. ] Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives,” he wrote.

The ruling passed 6-3 with all of the conservative justices signing on to the decision. Chief Justice John Roberts wrote a concurrence in which he agreed with the ruling but did not agree with the overturn of Roe and Casey.  Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer dissented.

The decision kicks the question of abortion access back to the states. Florida recently passed a ban on all abortions past 15 weeks of pregnancy, a significant hurdle to access that mimics the Mississippi law that prompted the SCOTUS ruling.

Local politicians in Orlando immediately reacted — some with rage, others with elation — depending on their political leanings. See what they had to say below.