Billy Long: We can talk about the leak and overturning Roe v Wade

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

Last week, Politico famously reported on a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court, purporting to be a majority opinion overturning the landmark abortion case, Roe v. Wade. 

I immediately put out a statement, saying that I was hopeful this draft was what would become the majority opinion. 

In an effort to skewer me on his show on MSNBC Chris Hayes pointed out the fact that very few of my colleagues did the same. Instead they pivoted to the leak, not the atrocity of killing an innocent human being. 

Why the pivot? Because that was what they had been coached to parrot. With me I'll always tell you how the cow ate the cabbage, tell you what I think, not tell you what the swamp masters in DC that give us our talking points tell me to tell you what I think. 

Reread that last sentence. 

Most Republican politicians focused on the leak instead of abortion. Something that shouldn't be discussed in polite society I suppose. Senators like Ted Cruz (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and even the Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) barely mentioned Roe v. Wade, and focused almost entirely on the leak.

Let’s be clear, the leak was inconceivable and beyond pale. Never in the history of the Supreme Court has a complete draft opinion been leaked before the case was decided. 

This unprecedented act puts all nine justices of the Court in harm’s way, especially the five justices who are reportedly in the majority on this case. 

Immediately and predictably protestors showed up in front of the Supreme Court, and radical groups began planning protests at Catholic Churches across the country on Mother’s Day. They even went to protest at the homes of Supreme Court justices. This has led the justices and their families needing round-the-clock protection, to ensure their safety. 

The leak and subsequent protests are an attempt to bully the justices into doing what the radical left wants, and virtually no Democrat Senator or Congressman has condemned it. Even President Biden, a practicing Catholic, has hardly condemned these protests at Catholic Churches.

The leak is only part of the story, albeit an important one. What very few Republicans are talking about is Roe v. Wade. We have spent the better part of 49 years trying to overturn this terrible decision, and return the issue of abortion to the states. 

In 1973, the Supreme Court took the issue away from the people’s elected representatives, and forced the view of seven justices upon the rest of the country. Republicans have been railing against this issue ever since, so where are they now? Why are they not being more vocal on the prospect of Roe v. Wade being overturned? 

Of course the leak is a major issue that needs to be discussed, but so does the idea of overturning Roe v. Wade, which we have been trying to do for nearly 50 years. There’s no reason why we can’t talk about both.

Abortion is a heinous procedure. The act of killing an unborn child is truly sickening. That’s why I stand up for life and have always done so. 

If Roe v. Wade is overturned, you can expect the Democrats to try and codify the decision into federal law. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has already held a vote on making abortion legal across the United States through all nine months of pregnancy. 49 Senate Democrats joined with him in that vote, only one broke ranks. 

Now is the time for Republicans to be united against this radical position. We have spent the last 49 years saying we were the Pro-Life party. Now it’s time to put your money where your mouth is and stand against the Democrats’ plan to federally legalize abortion, once again taking the issue away from the states. I voted against this measure when it came before the House last year, and if it comes back to the House I will vote against it again. I will never vote to legalize abortion on a federal level, and I hope that the majority of my Republican colleagues will join me in that stance.