WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) issued the following statement in response to media reports of a months-old draft Supreme Court decision that would overturn Roe v. Wade:

“If accurate, the draft Supreme Court ruling circulated last night would be a dangerous, seismic shift in which the Court overturns half a century of established precedent and overrides the most basic, private rights of half the nation. The decision being considered in this preliminary draft would eliminate a longstanding fundamental right supported by 64 percent of Maine people and 70 percent of Americans in one fell swoop. The result: millions of women would be robbed of the right to make vital, lifesaving healthcare decisions with the support of medical professionals. I’m also deeply worried that this draft opinion could invite challenges to other longstanding precedents, including marriage rights for same-sex or interracial couples.

“A potential ruling that ends abortion protections would be appalling, but also firmly aligned with the clear long-term goals of conservative legal leaders; in fact, former President Trump explicitly stated he would only nominate justices who would ‘automatically’ overturn Roe. While we do not yet know the final ruling, Congress must be prepared to take legislative action to enshrine Roe into law.”