COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gov. Mike DeWine delivered a statement Friday afternoon calling on Ohioans to be civil to one another hours after the Supreme Court voted to end the nation's constitutional protections for abortion.
The Republican governor said while he knows the court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade is troubling for many people, Ohioans on each side of the issue should respect each other's opinions as people continue to debate the topic of abortion rights.
"As the issue of abortion returns to the states, how we debate it is so very important. It is going to be very easy to let this debate get rough and tough -- and there is certainly nothing wrong with spirited debate. However, we must do it in a way that recognizes that smart, sincere, dedicated, and caring people can have very, very different and equally heartfelt views," DeWine said.
DeWine said he will be working with the General Assembly and local communities to improve the quality of pre- and post-natal care, increasing maternal depression screenings and expanding mental health resources for women who experience miscarriages.
The governor joins a number of Republican leaders who expressed victory with the court's decision while Democrats called it a huge government overreach.
You can read DeWine's full statement below:
Good evening. As you know, earlier today the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Now, the matter of abortion law and policy has been returned to the people of each state.
My purpose tonight is not to debate the merits of this decision. There will be plenty of time to do this in the days and weeks ahead.
I have two reasons for talking to you tonight.
First -- I think it is important that as we discuss the abortion issue, we do it in a civil way and recognize that there are people of goodwill on both sides, who have strongly and honestly held beliefs.
Second, I want to talk about the work that needs to be done to better support children and families and the common ground that we, as Ohioans, share.
My fellow Ohioans -- I fully understand that the Supreme Court’s decision today is deeply troubling to many of you. Those of you who are pro-choice believe this is a matter of freedom and is a decision only the woman can make. Those who are pro-life, including my wife Fran and me, believe that the life of a human being is at stake and that we have an obligation to protect that innocent life.
We all have friends and others close to us whom we respect and who are on both sides of the issue.
But -- whether you are pro-life or pro-choice, Republican or Democrat -- we all need to be kind, civil, and respect one another as we debate this issue.
As the issue of abortion returns to the states, how we debate it is so very important. It is going to be very easy to let this debate get rough and tough -- and there is certainly nothing wrong with spirited debate. However, we must do it in a way that recognizes that smart, sincere, dedicated, and caring people can have very, very different and equally heartfelt views.
The First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech -- and those who choose to exercise that right -- must be respected and must be protected.