Staff Report

‘INDIANAPOLIS – Gov. Eric Holcomb said Friday he thinks the Indiana General Assembly will likely discuss new abortion restrictions when lawmakers meet in a special session on July 6.

Holcomb issued a statement shortly after the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, removing the constitutional protection for abortion.

The ruling was issued early Friday, June 24.

“The Supreme Court’s decision is clear, and it is now up to the states to address this important issue. We’ll do that in short order in Indiana. I’ve already called the General Assembly back on July 6, and I expect members to take up this matter as well. I have been clear in stating I am pro-life. We have an opportunity to make progress in protecting the sanctity of life, and that’s exactly what we will do.”

Reaction from Republican Lawmakers from Indiana was swift and celebratory.

“Today is a monumental day for the protection of life in America and a defining moment for our nation. Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, and the Supreme Court has corrected a historic injustice,” said U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) in a statement.

“The American people will now have the opportunity, through their state elected officials, to decide our laws when it comes to protecting life and protecting women. It’s now time to work on solutions that affirm the right to life and support pregnant women and mothers,”

U.S.Sen. Mike Braun offered the following comment: “After 50 years, the right to life has finally been returned to the people and their elected representatives. I’m excited to see the states take the lead to protect the unborn, and I look forward to crafting solutions that will defend the unborn and save lives.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Banks (R-Columbia City) said, “Today is a joyful day and a turning point for the unborn in America. I will be celebrating tonight with my wife Amanda and our three daughters. I’d like to thank the thousands of pro-life advocates, conservative representatives, and voters, who have worked tirelessly for nearly 50 years to overturn the disastrous Roe decision. I am reiterating my call for Governor Holcomb and the Indiana legislatures to convene a special session and pass pro-life legislation. I will be working hard in Congress to build on today’s victory. Lastly, I’m astonished by the bravery of the Supreme Court Justices, who upheld their oath to the Constitution and issued an impartial, thorough and correct decision, even in the face of a murder attempt and a coordinated left-wing intimidation campaign condoned by the Biden Department of Justice. I’m praying for their safety.”

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski issued a statement on Twitter: “Today is an answer to prayer. After nearly 50 years, the U.S. Supreme Court has affirmed the inalienable right to life. As this mission moves to the states, our commitment to life will march on.”

Indiana Republican Party Chairman Kyle Hupfer released the following statement: “Today is a victory for life. This historic ruling is a long, overdue correction to the egregiously decided Roe v. Wade decision and has rightfully returned the question of life back to the states where it belongs. Hoosiers firmly believe — as stated in the U.S. Constitution — that life is foundational to liberty. The Indiana Republican Party has been unwavering in its defense of life from conception to natural death. I look forward to the special session that Governor Holcomb has called so we can implement our longstanding values on life.”

The rolling back of women’s reproductive health protections is a disaster for Hoosiers, said Destiny Wells, the Democratic Party candidate for Indiana secretary of state.

“Women dying is non-negotiable for me,” Wells said.

“A majority of Hoosiers oppose banning abortion. Reproductive freedom is reproductive health care,” she said. “What it means for Hoosier women at large is no longer having access to health care that keeps them both healthy and alive.”