An animated Attorney General William Tong said the draft opinion, if finalized to repeal Roe v. Wade,, "will split this country in two." MARK PAZNIOKAS / CTMIRROR.ORG
The leak of a draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion pointing to the end of the federal constitutional right to abortion in America echoed thunderously Tuesday in the stone halls of the Connecticut Capitol.
Democrats committed to reproductive rights reacted with emotion and resolve, deploring the potential end of a half-century of settled law while leaning into an issue capable of injecting some passion into the midterm elections.
“I am not surprised by the decision that is pending. But I am so very angry,” said Sen. Julie Kushner, D-Danbury, who counts herself among the estimated one in four women who have had abortions. “We cannot go back. We can’t go back to that time for women who choose to have an abortion. We cannot go back. We must resist.”
The disclosure offers a preview both of the court’s thinking and the potential political impact in Connecticut. Democrats here have struggled for a spark to turn out voters in the same numbers as 2018, when hostility to Donald J. Trump helped them win the governor’s office and overwhelming legislative majorities.
“For years, Democrats have warned that elections have consequences. The stark reality is before us today, and Republicans are directly responsible,” said Nancy DiNardo, the Democratic state chair.
The leak comes as the General Assembly is inching towards its constitutional adjournment deadline of midnight Wednesday and Connecticut’s political class is preparing to turn its attention to the Democratic and Republican nominating conventions this weekend.
Connecticut Republicans either ignored or downplayed the significance of the draft that was obtained by Politico and authenticated by Chief Justice John Roberts, who cautioned it might not be the final word. But Politico reported that a majority had voted for the essence of the draft.
