SEATTLE — It wasn't entirely unexpected, yet the news on Friday, June 24 from the U.S. Supreme Court left many reeling and many encouraged.
On a 5-4 vote, the highest court in the land overturned Roe v. Wade nearly 50 years after the landmark court case on abortion rights. The power to set abortion policies now returns to each individual state.
University of Washington Law Professor and constitutional scholar Jeffrey M. Feldman joined New Day to talk about what's next for our state and the country.
In Washington state, Gov. Jay Inslee warned last week that abortion rights could be in danger if Republicans were able to claim a legislative majority.
However, Republican leaders, whose party has filed numerous anti-abortion measures in recent years countered that claim, saying that they don’t expect to change state law and are focused on other issues.
Senate Minority Leader, Sen. John Braun, said the Supreme Court decision will not change existing state laws, including voter-passed initiatives in 1970 and 1991 guaranteeing abortion rights in Washington state.
Inslee said he would like to see a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights in the state, which would require a two-thirds majority in the state House and Senate, as well as voter approval.
RELATED: Republican lawmakers say they won't pursue anti-abortion legislation, despite warnings from Inslee
Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest 11 AM weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.