WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed voted in favor of legislation that would codify Roe v. Wade - following the release of a leaked U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion indicating justices may soon overturn the high-court's decades-old abortion-related ruling.  Reed issued the following statement:

“Roe has been the law of the land for almost 50 years, but now the Republican justices on the Supreme Court want to come between a woman and her doctor and strip away women’s reproductive rights and their right to privacy.  I think that is fundamentally wrong.  All women, regardless of where they live, should have access to medical care and the ability to decide for themselves.

“Rhode Island already has accessible reproductive health care laws and my vote today would ensure all women have the same protective rights and access to medical care providers who can assist them with their health care needs.”