MADISON, Wis.—Today, Senator Ron Johnson endorsed a total ban on abortion care in the Badger State. During a radio appearance (27:05), Senator Johnson noted that approximately 6,000 abortions are performed each year in Wisconsin and claimed that this was “6,000 too many.” The comments come after Senator Johnson appeared on Newsmax last week and said the United States Supreme Court was making the “correct decision” on overturning Roe v. Wade, even going so far as to say it was a “long time coming.” Over sixty percent of Wisconsin residents say abortion should be legal in most or all cases, a statistic that has held true for the last decade.
Meghan Roh, Opportunity Wisconsin program director:
“Not only would overturning Roe v. Wade send Wisconsin women back to 1849 where we would face a criminal abortion ban, but it would also mean significant economic setbacks for those in need of this critical form of health care. Too many across the Badger State are worried about paying their bills and putting food on the table, and instead of working to bring down costs, Senator Johnson is inserting himself into our personal decisions and advocating for a policy that we know would have very damaging effects on Wisconsin families and the economy.
“It’s time for Senator Johnson to start working for the Badger State and support critical legislation like Senator Tammy Baldwin’s ‘Women’s Health Protection Act’ that would codify Roe v. Wade and ensure women across Wisconsin have the freedom to access safe abortion care.”
While testifying before the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee today, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen laid out just how damaging overturning Roe v. Wade would be, not only for women, but for the economy, saying the landmark court case “enabled many women to finish school, that [it] increased their earning potential. It allowed women to plan and balance their families and careers. And research also shows that it had a favorable impact on the well being and earnings of children.”
Since early 2021, Opportunity Wisconsin has been working to hold Senator Johnson accountable to his constituents and to demand he vote for policies that support Wisconsin residents. In addition to holding conversations with Wisconsin workers and families across the Badger State, Opportunity Wisconsin has spent over $5 million in TV ads urging Senator Johnson to focus his work in Washington on addressing the economic needs of his constituents and to stop putting his personal profits over the people of Wisconsin.
