Clinton: SCOTUS decision a ‘victory’ for women

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Monday celebrated the Supreme Court decision to halt Texas from enforcing one of the nation’s strictest abortion laws.

“The Supreme Court’s decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt is a victory for women across America,” Clinton said in a statement Monday.

{mosads}”By striking down politically motivated restrictions that made it nearly impossible for Texans to exercise their full reproductive rights, the Court upheld every woman’s right to safe, legal abortion, no matter where she lives.”

Clinton applauded the people who went to the Texas Capitol to “speak out against these attacks on women’s health” and praised healthcare providers who “fought for their patients and refused to give up.”

“In the first three months of 2016, states introduced more than 400 measures restricting access to abortion,” she said. “We’ve seen a concerted, persistent attack on women’s health and rights at the federal level.”

Clinton, as well as the Democratic National Committee (DNC), seized on the ruling to urge abortion rights supporters not to become complacent before November. She used the decision to call out presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump for saying women should be punished for having abortions and for pledging to appoint Supreme Court justices who would overturn Roe v. Wade.

“Today’s decision is a reminder of how much is at stake in this election,” Clinton said. “We need a President who will defend women’s health and rights and appoint Supreme Court justices who recognize Roe v. Wade as settled law. We must continue to protect access to safe and legal abortion — not just on paper, but in reality.”

The DNC also urged voters to keep the issue in mind in the fall election, which stands to determine the next justice appointed to the Supreme Court.

“By striking down HB2, the Court has given Texas women and women everywhere a victory in the ongoing fight to protect abortion rights,” the DNC wrote in a statement. “But we cannot take anything for granted and we must remain vigilant – especially as we head toward Election Day in November.”

Clinton personally tweeted her support for the decision shortly after it was announced.

SCOTUS’s decision is a victory for women in Texas and across America. Safe abortion should be a right—not just on paper, but in reality. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 27, 2016

This fight isn’t over: The next president has to protect women’s health. Women won’t be “punished” for exercising their basic rights. -H

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 27, 2016

The Supreme Court’s 5-3 decision is a major win for abortion clinics in Texas. The decision discards a previous ruling by an appellate court, which abortion rights activists had warned would have major implications for millions of women.

— Sarah Ferris contributed