PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — It’s been one year since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the constitutional right to abortion. The procedure remains legal in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware but the issue remains a powerful political tool in the region.
U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, who represents Chester County, remembers exactly where she was when the ruling happened.
“My mother-in-law is a Republican and that day I recall her coming to my house with tears in her eyes asking if I ever had thought this would be possible,” she recalled. “All women became less free on that day and it was reflected in the tears of my 80-year-old mother-in-law.”
This year, Houlahan observed the anniversary by joining her colleague, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon — who represents Delaware County and parts of Southwest Philadelphia — and two doctors to urge Pennsylvania voters to keep the Dobbs decision in mind in next year’s election.
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“It has become increasingly clear that [abortion opponents] are seeking a nationwide ban and that’s what our delegation, including our senators, are going to stand in the way of,” Scanlon said.
Abortion used to be a highly motivating factor for those who opposed it, but national polls show that Dobbs flipped the equation. Now, it’s abortion rights advocates who are most swayed by a candidate's position on it, as Scanlon saw in the November 2022 election.
“I have 19 colleges in my district and those college students really came out, particularly the college women.”
Abortion opponents have also adopted new strategies. The National Right to Life is holding its annual convention in Pittsburgh this weekend. Sessions include “preparing for the 2024 elections” and “achieving an abortion-free America.”
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