Inslee and state legislators respond to Supreme Court decision
||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE |||
Gov. Jay Inslee held a press conference on Saturday, June 25 to declare Washington a sanctuary state for those seeking abortion care. The press conference followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court’s decision severed constitutional protections for abortion and reproductive freedom. Inslee called for a state constitutional amendment to protect abortion, announced $1 million in emergency funding for local clinics to brace for surging demand, and a prohibition against state law enforcement cooperation with out-of-state abortion-related investigations and prosecutions.
President Joe Biden met with Democratic governors on Friday, including Inslee, to discuss state measures to protect reproductive rights. Washington, California, and Oregon formed a multi-state commitment to reproductive freedom. Other states like Connecticut have established new laws that insulate providers from out-of-state liability. Washington remains a pro-choice state, and may serve as a model for other states to become similar sanctuaries for reproductive freedom.
