Legislators were shocked by a draft Supreme Court opinion, which would reverse a 50-year-old history of abortion rights. It prompted outrage and sharpened political divisions. when it leaked overnight.

The draft published by PoliticoThe conservative-leaning court appears poised to overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling and Planned Parenthood. These two landmarks have been enshrined in abortion protections throughout America for many decades.

An unprecedented leak unleashed a torrent of anger and horror from Washington’s abortion-rights advocates, as well as other political leaders who were likeminded to the cause. Most of these are Democrats. Many called on Congress with its thin Democratic Majorities in the Senate and House to take immediate action to codify abortion rights by legislation.

Senator Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Tuesday that he plans to vote in order to enshrine Roe’s protections into law.

This is not an abstract task. Schumer spoke on the Senate’s floor, saying that it was “as real and urgent as it can get.” Schumer said that the November election will be a major event because of the 100 million rights for women on the ballot.

The leak was the focus of Republicans outrage. The Republicans lamented the potential damage such a leak might cause to the integrity of the High Court and demanded an in-depth investigation of who leaked it.

Commentators from the GOP praised the decision for placing decisions on abortion in the control of states and not the federal government.

Below are some reactions by prominent politicians, interest groups and others.

Joe Biden, President

“I think that women’s rights to choose are fundamental. Roe It has been the law for nearly fifty years. Basic fairness and stability demand it be maintained.

“[…]If the Court overturns Roe, Our elected officials at every level of government will have to uphold a woman’s right to make her choice. Voters will have to vote for pro-choice candidates in November.  We will require more prochoice Senators at the federal level and a larger pro-choice majority to approve legislation codifying. Roe, I’ll work hard to get it passed and signed into law.

Nancy Pelosi, D.Calif. House Speaker; Chuck Schumer D.N.Y. Senate Majority Leader.

“If the report is accurate, the Supreme Court is poised to inflict the greatest restriction of rights in the past fifty years – not just on women but on all Americans.

“The Republican-appointed Justices’ reported votes to repeal Roe v. Wade will go down in history as an abomination and one of the most destructive decisions in recent human history.”

“Several of these conservative Justices, who are in no way accountable to the American people, have lied to the U.S. Senate, ripped up the Constitution and defiled both precedent and the Supreme Court’s reputation — all at the expense of tens of millions of women who could soon be stripped of their bodily autonomy and the constitutional rights they’ve relied on for half a century.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.

“Last night’s astonishing breach was an attack against the independence of Supreme Court. This was yet another in a long-running campaign by the radical left to intimidate and bully federal judges, and replace mob rule with the rule of the law.

“The scandalous statements made by Speaker Pelosi and President Biden refuse to support judicial independence or the rule of laws and instead indulge in this toxic spectacle. The Court should be protected by true leaders.

“This unlawful act must be investigated and dealt with as harshly as possible. It is up to the Chief Justice and the Department of Justice to investigate the matter.

All nine justices need to tune out all the bad-faith talk and be completely free to perform their duties, following the facts as well as the law.

Senator Susan Collins (Republican from Maine), who supports abortion rights, voted for Kavanaugh and Gorsuch to be confirmed. She voted in favor of Kavanaugh after he said that Roe was “settled law” and she agreed.

If this draft is the final opinion and this reporting are accurate, it would completely contradict what Justice Gorsuch or Justice Kavanaugh stated in their hearings as well as in our meetings at my office. After the Supreme Court has officially announced its opinion, however, each Justice will not be informed of their decision or reasoning.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

“The Supreme Court’s confidential deliberation process is sacred & protects it from political interference. This breach shows that radical Democrats are working even harder to intimidate & undermine the Court. They had always planned it. “This attack will not change the decision of the justices.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

“Congress should pass legislation that codifies Roe v. Wade to be the law of this land immediately. If there isn’t 60 Senate votes to approve it (and there aren’t), we need to end the filibuster and pass it with 50 votes.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass.

“An extreme Supreme Court is set to uproot #RoeVWade” and place its unpopular, far-right views on the whole country. The Constitution and abortion rights are in danger of being overthrown by an extremist Supreme Court. It is time to make sure that millions support them. We’re not going back—not ever.”

Sen. Patty Murray D-Wash.

After ringing these alarms for many years, it is time to crack the glass. It’s time for every single person—in every single state—to realize this impacts you, your choices, your rights. It’s not happening to someone else, in some other state—it’s happening everywhere, and the highest court in the land is preparing to rip away your rights at this very moment. It is time to stand up and fight with all that we have right now. It is my duty to defend the right to abortion.

Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.

“The Supreme Court & the DOJ must get to the bottom of this leak immediately using every investigative tool necessary. In the meantime, Roe was egregiously wrong from the beginning & I pray the Court follows the Constitution & allows the states to once again protect unborn life.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y.

As we have warned, SCOTUS doesn’t come for abortion – they are coming for privacy Roe, including gay marriage and civil rights. Manchin blocks Congress from codifying Roe. House seems to have forgotten Clarence Thomas. These are the two most important points to be changed.

Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah

If the draft opinion is leaked, I will support it. American principles are founded on the principle of human rights. Abortion laws would be returned to citizens and elected representatives.

“The Court’s breach of its deliberative process is however an appalling offense against a critical institution. It should be thoroughly investigated and the responsible persons should be punished.”

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo.

“I’ll say that if it is the Court’s opinion, then it’s quite a remarkable opinion. The Court’s opinion is well-researched, well-argued and very morally strong.

Anthony Romero, Executive Director of American Civil Liberties Union

“If the Supreme Court actually issues a majority decision along the lines of Justice Alito’s leaked draft, then the shifting of the tectonic plates regarding abortion rights would be as significant and important as any Court opinion.” […]In comparison with the Court’s breach of protocol, the Court has to uphold constitutional freedoms.

Marjorie Dannenfelser is president of Susan B. Anthony List which supports anti-abortion candidates

We are proud to support the decision, even if the draft opinion that was made public tonight will be the final one. American citizens have the power to elect their representatives to discuss and pass laws to protect unborn babies and to honor women.

“If Roe is indeed overturned, our job will be to build consensus for the strongest protections possible for unborn children and women in every legislature.”

Hillary Clinton was the Democratic former presidential nominee

“This decision is a direct assault on the dignity, rights, & lives of women, not to mention decades of settled law. It will murder and subjugate the women, even though a large majority of Americans agree that abortion should remain legal. It is a disgraceful act of deceit.