Supreme Court abortion ruling updates: WH warns of ‘nightmare scenarios’

The Supreme Court voted to overrule the decisions of Roe and Casey.

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in a much-anticipated ruling Friday in one of its biggest decisions this term.

The court voted 5-4, largely along party lines, to overturn Roe and 6-3, in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which involved Mississippi's ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion rights supporters react to the overturning of Roe v Wade outside the United States Supreme Court in Washington, June 24, 2022.
Mary F. Calvert/Reuters

It appeared that the panel's conservative majority of justices was ready to overturn nearly 50 years of established abortion rights after last month's leaked draft decision indicated as much.

Jun 24, 2022, 1:11 PM EDT

Governors respond to SCOTUS decision

Democratic and Republican governors across the U.S. responded to the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, railed against the ruling but vowed that abortion access is still protected in the state.

"Today, the Supreme Court took away the right of millions of Americans to make decisions about their own bodies," she said in a statement. "This decision is a grave injustice. I want everyone to know that abortion remains safe, accessible, and legal in New York."

Democrat Kathy Hochul said the ruling by the Supreme Court was “repulsive at every level.”
2:53

Abortion ruling is ‘a dark day for women,’ NY governor says

Democrat Kathy Hochul said the ruling by the Supreme Court was “repulsive at every level.”

In neighboring New Jersey, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy referred to the decision as "backwards" and "appalling."

"In New Jersey, women will always have full autonomy over their own bodies and the right to make their own medical decisions," he said in a statement.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul joins other politicians and supporters of abortion rights at a rally to denounce recent restrictions on abortion in the state of Texas on Sept. 09, 2021 in Brooklyn, New York.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images, FILE

Michigan Gov, Gretchen Whitmer, also a Democrat, reflected those sentiments,
adding, "I want every Michigander to know that I am more determined than ever to protect access to safe, legal abortion. I'll never stop fighting."

Meanwhile, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said the Supreme Court made the correct decision in overruling the 1973 decision.

"The Supreme Court correctly overturns Roe v. Wade & reinstates the right of states to protect innocent, unborn children," he said in a statement. "Texas is a pro-life state. We will ALWAYS fight to save every child from the ravages of abortion."

Similarly, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, also a Republican, said in a statement, "The Supreme Court of the United States has rightfully returned power to the people and their elected representatives in the states. I'm proud to be a pro-life Governor and plan to take every action I can to protect life."

Jun 24, 2022, 1:02 PM EDT

Tensions run high outside Mississippi abortion clinic at center of court case after ruling

Clinic workers and anti-abortion rights activists shouted at each other and grew more angry outside the Mississippi abortion clinic at the center of the Supreme Court case.

One clinic worker was seen going inside because she was so emotional. The worker was in tears as she tried to hold up a sign that said they were open. Hand-drawn signs were brought out of the clinic because anti-abortion rights activists were turning women away, telling them abortions were now illegal in the state.

Women and couples stopped their cars at the intersection because they were confused as clinic workers hastily tried to tell them they were open, but likely not for long.

Pink House defender Derenda Hancock gestures at anti-abortion opponents protesting outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss. moments before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade was issued, June 24, 2022.
Veteran Pink House defender Derenda Hancock gestures at anti-abortion opponents protesting outside the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss. moments before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade was issued, June 24, 2022. The clinic is the only facility that performs abortions in the state.
Rogelio V. Solis/AP

A pro-abortion protester outside the clinic told ABC News the decision means they are looking at suffering and death.

"We see what's coming. We know exactly what's going on here. Welcome to the vulture pit. Women without needs will suffer. We've been answering these for years but here we are. America's not ready for what's about to happen with the fall of Rome," one unnamed protestor said.

An anti-abortion protester celebrated the decision, calling it "bittersweet."

"Certainly we're thankful that Roe has been overturned, but our hearts still break over the millions of unborn children ... aborted in this country and it's just gonna be a struggle going to states that still allow abortion and hopefully they'll close this clinic down as quickly as possible and we'll move on and help other places."

-ABC News' Cherise Rudy and Stephanie Ramos

Jun 24, 2022, 12:49 PM EDT

Abortion provider says it's deploying a fleet of mobile clinics along border states

Just The Pill, a nonprofit abortion group, announced a program called Abortion Delivered and vowed to deploy a fleet of mobile clinics to offer "mobile procedural abortions" along the border of states that impose restrictions.

"By operating on state borders, we will reduce travel burdens for patients in states with bans or severe limits," said Dr. Julie Amaon, the medical director of Just The Pill and Abortion Delivered, in a statement.

Abortion law and restrictions vary by state. Some states have trigger laws in place that immediately ban abortion once the federal protection of Roe was overturned.

While state rules can differ, FDA regulations say women can be prescribed medical abortion pills by a certified provider at up to 10 weeks of pregnancy and take them at home.

"We are undaunted. We will bring care to the people who most need it, and we will defy reproductive repression by providing more affordable and accessible care," said Amaon.

Jun 24, 2022, 12:46 PM EDT

JPMorgan Chase to cover employee travel for abortion

JPMorgan Chase, one of the nation’s largest banks, has informed U.S. employees that it will cover the costs of travel for those seeking an abortion who cannot access the procedure legally in their home state, according to a memo sent to employees on June 1 and obtained by ABC News.

The company will begin covering the travel next month, according to a company web page that details the policy.

The JPMorgan Chase & Co. World headquarters.
Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty Images

Several corporations in recent weeks, including Amazon and Starbucks, have announced expanded health benefits to pay for travel fees incurred by workers seeking an abortion if the procedure is unavailable near where they live.

Yelp, Tesla, Citigroup, Apple and Salesforce have also expanded abortion coverage in recent weeks for employees to include costs for travel when necessary.

The JPMorgan Chase memo was first reported by CNBC.