*Read the full Supreme Court decision here.*
Kansas lawmakers are responding very differently over the state Supreme Court’s declaration of a right to abortion.
The 6-1 ruling Friday notes the Kansas constitution protects the “right of personal autonomy,” meaning state law cannot abridge the right “to control one’s own body, to assert bodily integrity and to exercise self-determination.” It prevents the state from enforcing a 2015 law that could have reduced second-trimester abortions and allows challenges to other restrictions under the state constitution. 67th District House Rep. Tom Phillips (R-Manhattan) disagrees with the high court’s decision. He believes a challenge could be coming in the form of a constitutional amendment when lawmakers return to Topeka for veto session on Wednesday.
Rep. Phillips will join KMAN’s In Focus program on Tuesday for a preview of the upcoming veto session.
66th District House Rep. Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan) voted against the 2015 bill citing a woman’s fundamental right to choose. She believes the high court was correct in its ruling Friday.
Elsewhere Friday, U.S. Senator Jerry Moran released a statement saying the state Supreme Court decision “underscores the urgent need for federal legislation that will protect innocent life at all stages.”
1st District U.S. Congressman Roger Marshall echoed those sentiments in a statement, saying “the high court violated the sanctity of life and denied the rights of the unborn in Kansas. It’s plain wrong and deeply shameful,” Rep. Marshall said.
