The leak of a draft opinion by the Supreme Court hinting at the overturn of the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that made abortion legal has Tennessee and the whole nation talking.
Politico obtained the draft opinion on Monday and set off an unexpected firestorm around one of the nation’s most divisive culture war issues. It also raised questions about the court’s deliberations and its ability to keep those discussions secret.
Government officials from county commissioners to state senators across Tennessee have reacted to the news differently. Some called for the leaker to be found and others wondered about the state of our nation and what it will mean for women’s rights in the long run.
Local impact: Here’s what happens in Tennessee if Roe v Wade is overturned
Tennessee government leaders react to leaked draft opinion
“Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” Associate Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the draft obtained by Politico. “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.”
That news brought one Shelby County Commissioner to tears.
Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer wasn’t the only one that found the news of the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned upsetting in the political world. Tennessee representatives and senators worry about what will come of women’s reproductive rights.
Senator London Lamar reacted to the news on Twitter, wondering if Roe v. Wade is overturned and what it could mean for the state in terms of helping children in Tennessee.
Some Tennessee politicians call for finding the leak, prayers
Though Supreme Court deliberations have leaked before, including during President Richard Nixon’s administration, the release of a draft opinion from the closely guarded high court was highly unusual in modern times.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn went to Twitter to call for the person who leaked the draft opinion to be found.
Rep. Diane Harshbarger responded to the leaked opinion by asking for prayers for the justices because, “Standing against forces of evil takes incredible courage.”
Some are seeing this as an issue that should have never had federal involvement and should be dictated by states.
Related: What happens if Roe v. Wade is overturned? What we know about Supreme Court’s leaked draft
Davis Plazas: Is Tennessee going too far in restricting abortion? How new bills could backfire
What does it mean if Roe v. Wade is overturned?
If the 1973 decision is overturned abortion regulations and laws would largely be turned over to individual states, about half of which are expected to ban or place severe limitations on the procedure.
The justices are set to release a ruling in a lawsuit challenging a Mississippi law that bans most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy this summer. The suit could act as a direct challenge to the Roe v. Wade decision that found abortion rights are constitutionally protected.
USA Today contributed to this report.
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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee politicians react to possible Roe v Wade turnover