Gov. Greg Abbott praised the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade on Friday, according to a press release issued by his office.
The justices voted 5-4 to end constitutional protections for abortion just more than a month after a draft pointing toward such a ruling was leaked.
“The U.S. Supreme Court correctly overturned Roe v. Wade and reinstated the right of states to protect innocent, unborn children,” Abbott a Republican, said in the release. “Texas is a pro-life state, and we have taken significant action to protect the sanctity of life.”
The governor in the statement further affirmed that Texas has prioritized supporting women’s health care and expectant mothers in need.
Last year, Houston Daily reported, he signed a state Senate bill into law that makes an abortion illegal if a fetal heartbeat is detected hence the measure being dubbed the “Heartbeat Bill.”
Citing The Associated Press (AP), Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that the high court’s decision is the culmination of efforts by pro-life activists that spanned decades since Roe v. Wade went on the books in the early 1970s.
According to the report, the decision was made possible by then-President Donald J. Trump’s appointment of three conservative justices to the bench.
Shortly after the leak in May, the Supreme Court became the site of protests for abortion rights, prompting law enforcement to erect security fences around the property.
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Beto O’Rourke condemned the decision.
“I will always fight for a woman’s freedom to make her own decisions about her own body, health care and future,” O’Rourke said in a tweet.
Abbott said in his release that he won’t stop fighting for the “innocent unborn.”
“I will continue working with the Texas legislature and all Texans to save every child from the ravages of abortion and help our expectant mothers in need,” the governor said.
