Leaked Opinion Overturning Roe and Casey Abandons the Rule of Law, Damages the Integrity of the Supreme Court

WASHINGTON, DC — The draft U.S. Supreme Court opinion leaked yesterday warrants unqualified condemnation and sends a chilling warning that longstanding protections — in areas from health, safety, and the environment, to equity and equality — are in grave danger. The Court's conservative majority has made clear it is willing to overturn our constitutional right to reproductive freedom and privacy and abandon precedent when it suits its ideological whims. It is also taking an extreme activist approach to the cases before it, making law from the bench. In doing so, the majority is abandoning the rule of law and severely damaging the Court's integrity.

The draft opinion, the authenticity of which has been confirmed by Chief Justice John Roberts, comes in a case called Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. If the draft stands as written or remains substantially similar, the Court’s majority will overturn the precedents in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey when it officially hands down the opinion by the end of June.

The Court’s draft opinion shows the willingness of the conservative majority to take broad, sweeping action against the progress the United States has made in the past century to advance social justice and protect our environment. It is also a direct assault against women and girls, particularly low-income women and girls of color. The widespread lack of reproductive health and freedom that will result if the Dobbs draft stands will also undermine families, communities, and our nation.

Should the Supreme Court overturn Roe vs. Wade or other important precedents, Americans must redouble our efforts outside the courts and strengthen and build off popular support for policies that can move us toward a more responsive government, a healthier environment, and a more just society.

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