Texas Gov. Abbott, Attorney Gen. Paxton celebrate Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade

After 50 years of precedent, a conservative Supreme Court majority overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday with a 5-4 vote along ideological lines, returning the issue to the states.

That sets up a dramatic shift in abortion services in America, meaning Texas' ban is upheld and leading to even stricter penalties and regulations. Texas' ban will begin in 30 days, while other states have had an immediate implementation of bans.

nti-abortion activists celebrate in response to the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Court's decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health overturns the landmark 50-year-old Roe v Wade case and erases a federal right to an abortion. (Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The decision was no surprise after Justice Samuel Alito's majority opinion leaked — an unprecedented action. However, Alito's words were clear.

"For the first 185 years after the adoption of the Constitution, each State was permitted to address this issue in accordance with the views of its citizens," Alito wrote. "Then, in 1973, this Court decided Roe v. Wade, 410 U. S. 113. Even though the Constitution makes no mention of abortion, the Court held that it confers a broad right to obtain one."

The decision still sent shockwaves around the nation, leaving many questions unresolved, including penalties for women who seek abortions outside of states where the practice is banned. It is unlikely that several states will outlaw the practice, including California and New York. Abortion drugs are legal in Mexico.

The dissent of Justices Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan said the court turned its back on women.

"Today, the Court discards that balance. It says that from the very moment of fertilization, a woman has no rights to speak of," the trio said. "A State can force her to bring a pregnancy to term, even at the steepest personal and familial costs."

Abortion-rights activist react after the announcement to the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24, 2022 in Washington, DC. The Court's decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health overturns the landmark 50-year-old Roe v Wade case and erases a federal right to an abortion. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Abortion will become illegal in Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wyoming.

Texas political leaders didn't take long to weigh in on the decision.

"SCOTUS just overruled Roe and Casey, ending one of the most morally and legally corrupt eras in U.S.history," Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted. "Praise the Lord. Abortion is now illegal in Texas. And today I'm closing my office — and making it an annual holiday — to memorialize the 70 million lives lost because of abortion."

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement.

"The U.S. Supreme Court correctly overturned Roe v. Wade and reinstated the right of states to protect innocent, unborn children," Abbott said. "Texas is a pro-life state, and we have taken significant action to protect the sanctity of life. Texas has also prioritized supporting women's healthcare and expectant mothers in need to give them the necessary resources so that they can choose life for their child. I signed laws that extended Medicaid health care coverage to six months post-partum, appropriated $345 million for women's health programs, and invested more than $100 million toward our Alternatives to Abortion program. This critical program provides counseling, mentoring, care coordination, and material assistance, such as car seats, diapers, and housing to mothers in need.

"Texas will always fight for the innocent unborn, and I will continue working with the Texas legislature and all Texans to save every child from the ravages of abortion and help our expectant mothers in need."

But the other pressing question, with a 6-3 conservative majority, is what's next for the Supreme Court on questions about morality, and with this, Justice Clarence Thomas offered some clarity.

"For that reason, in future cases, we should reconsider all of this Court's substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell," Thomas wrote.

For those who don't understand those cases, here's a primer:

Griswold vs. Connecticut, a 1965 ruling that allowed married couples to obtain contraception free from government interference.
Lawrence vs. Texas, a 2003 ruling that tossed the state's sodomy laws, argued that sex between consenting adults was covered in a "right of privacy," built on the Roe v. Wade precedent.
Obergfell vs. Hodges, a 2015 ruling cleared the way for same-sex marriage.

"After overruling these demonstrably erroneous decisions, the question would remain whether other constitutional provisions guarantee the myriad rights that our substantive due process cases have generated," Thomas said. "For example, we could consider whether any of the rights announced in this Court’s substantive due process cases are “privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States” protected by the Fourteenth Amendment."

Other reactions from around Texas:

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