Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) issued the following statement after reports the U.S. Supreme Court has voted to declare the landmark Roe v. Wade decision unconstitutional and return abortion policy to the states.
“If the reports are true about the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming decision, this is a major victory for the pro-life movement,” Kelly said. “I’ve spent many years advocating for the unborn and the principle that abortion laws should be enacted by the people’s elected representatives, not activist Justices. I’m proud to be an advocate for the unborn and I will continue to advance my legislation, the Heartbeat Protection Act, through Congress in the months and years to come.
“If the reports are true about the upcoming decision, then the marches, the speeches, the standing, the dedication, the faith, and the prayers did avail much for a greater moral good,” Kelly continued. “I also want to speak to those who have had abortions and struggle with their decision: you should know that forgiveness and grace – for yourself and others – will help heal those emotional wounds. This decision is not another tool to divide us, but should be one that brings us together under the banner of protecting life for all.”
BACKGROUND
In 1973, Roe v. Wade guaranteed federal constitutional protections of abortion rights. Over the last 50 years, more than 63 million abortions have taken place in the United States. During his service in Congress, Rep. Kelly has been a staunch advocate of the pro-life movement and protecting the unborn. In 2021, Kelly introduced the Heartbeat Protection Act, which prohibits abortions when an unborn child’s heartbeat is detected. Since being elected to Congress, Kelly, a father of four and grandfather of ten, has worked to defend life by:
- Protecting the religious freedom of pro-life individuals and organization.
- Opposing taxpayer funding of abortion
- Opposing race and gender based abortions
- Opposing abortion funding in foreign aid
- Opposing abortion of unborn children who can feel pain
