What to know about Roe v. Wade as draft suggests Supreme Court could overturn landmark abortion ruling

A draft opinion leaked to Politico appears to show the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision. We've gathered some background information to break down what you should know.

News 12 Staff

May 3, 2022, 2:04 PM

Updated 956 days ago

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A draft opinion leaked to Politico shows the Supreme Court is poised to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. We've gathered some background information to break down what you should know.

THE LEGAL DOCUMENTS: 

Here are some legal texts to familiarize yourself with.

THE JUSTICES

Here is what the Supreme Court justices have said in the past about abortion rights.
Samuel Anthony Alito Jr. is the associate justice of the Supreme Court and New Jersey native who drafted the opinion to potentially overturn Roe v. Wade. Here is more on who he is:

THE LEAK

Leaks from the Supreme Court have been rare and unusual in the past. This Roe v. Wade leak has been compared to the Pentagon Papers. An explainer on Supreme Court leaks:

REACTION

Democratic lawmakers immediately responded to the potential overturning of Roe v. Wade. Here is what they are saying:
Here is what people are saying in your communities:

WHAT COMES NEXT

A ruling overturning Roe v. Wade would change abortion access based on which state you are in.
President Biden says he wanted Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade, which he would sign.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says he will push for a vote on legislation to codify abortion rights.

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