How Pa. lawmakers, elected officials, and U.S. Senate hopefuls reacted to Texas abortion ban

This story was updated at 9:41 a.m. on 9/2/21 with additional comments.

A Texas law that would ban most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect Wednesday after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to act on an emergency request to stop it, the New York Times and other news organizations reported. It is the most restrictive abortion law in the nation, and it sent shockwaves throughout the abortion rights community.

On Wednesday, as the law took effect, lawmakers, state and federal officials and candidates for office weighed in the Texas law and its implications for Roe v. Wade, the U.S. Supreme Court case that legalized abortion.

Here’s how Pennsylvania lawmakers, organizations and candidates reacted:

U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-3rd:

1/ The Supreme Court essentially just overturned #RoevWade! I’m an original co-sponsor of @RepJudyChu’s Women’s Health Protection Act – it would BAN anti-choice laws like the one the Supreme Court just let Texas impose. #BansOffOurBodies

— Congressman Dwight Evans (@RepDwightEvans) September 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-18th:

Today, the Supreme Court has allowed Texas to enforce a law that blatantly violates decades of its own precedent, the Constitution, and #RoevWade. #SB8 is a radical law that hurts women in Texas and across the U.S.

— Mike Doyle (@USRepMikeDoyle) September 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th, District:

Today it's Texas.

Soon it could be our Commonwealth – unless we act.

We must defend a woman's right to reproductive freedom in every zip code by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act.

— Chrissy Houlahan (@RepHoulahan) September 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean, D-4th District: 

Outraged by the decision in Texas.

This is an attack on the health and safety of women — and we must protect the right to reproductive health now, and forever.

The fight for safe and legal access to abortions for all women is not over. Not anywhere. https://t.co/SE0U2IQDg2

— Congresswoman Madeleine Dean (@RepDean) September 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, D-7th, District: 

Everyone deserves to make their own decisions about their health and future. We must come together to protect access to safe and legal abortion.

I’m not backing down. https://t.co/Grcjf9zYzU

— Rep. Susan Wild (@RepSusanWild) September 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, D-5th District: 

Make no mistake, the radical Texas law that went into effect at midnight is meant to be a total ban on abortion. It prevents access to critical medical care before many even know they're pregnant.

We can't back down in the fight for reproductive freedom. https://t.co/Tb2Y0tvWkg

— Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) September 1, 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf

Texas has effectively banned abortions.

I won’t let that happen here in Pennsylvania. Abortion is health care and will remain an option to be discussed between patients and their doctors.

My veto is ready. https://t.co/SDTdwR3bfU

— Governor Tom Wolf (@GovernorTomWolf) September 1, 2021

State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny:

Let nobody doubt that reproductive rights are in peril, here and everywhere in this country.

— State Rep. Dan Frankel (@RepDanFrankel) September 1, 2021

State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti, D-Delaware:

Texas' drastic measure to limit access to abortion is very disheartening.

Here in PA, we have seen anti-abortion legislators try similar attacks to restrict access. Along with my colleagues in @PAWomensHealth, I promise to fight these challenges at every step. #StopPABans https://t.co/9wWwnzGrWz

— Senator Amanda Cappelletti (@SenCappelletti) September 1, 2021

The Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate:

Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh:

Say it with me: End the filibuster. Codify Roe v. Wade.

The Senate should come back and do it — now.

— Val Arkoosh (@ValArkooshPA) September 1, 2021

State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia:

In the dead of night the Supreme Court made the decision to effectively allow Roe v Wade to be overturned. Gleefully ignoring precedent and basic decency.

Congress should immediately codify Roe in law and expand the courts, to save them — and us.

— Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (@malcolmkenyatta) September 1, 2021

U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, D-17th District: 

Roe is the law. #SCOTUS needs to apply it, remember their oaths, & freeze the Texas law in its tracks.

The right to choose is a constitutional right no matter what state you live in. #SB8

— Conor Lamb (@ConorLambPA) September 1, 2021

Lt. Gov.  John Fetterman: 

It’s obvious that we can’t rely on this Court to protect Roe, and that Dems in Washington must act.

Dems in the House & Senate should vote like Dems and scrap the filibuster and pass the Women’s Health Protection Act immediately.

— John Fetterman (@JohnFetterman) September 1, 2021