Ohio Republicans Look to Overturn Results of Reproductive Freedom Vote, Steal Authority from Judicial Branch to Undo Abortion Rights Amendment

COLUMBUS – Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today pushed back against extremist Republicans calling to overthrow the judicial branch’s authority to exercise judicial review of Issue 1, the citizen-led ballot amendment that passed with a bipartisan majority (57%) of Ohioans last Tuesday:

"Extreme politicians' delusions of absolute power threaten the very fabric of American democracy and the individual freedom and liberty of citizens,” said Leader Allison Russo.

Ohio state lawmakers, Reps. Bill Dean (R-Xenia), Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) and Beth Lear (R-Galena), announced Thursday that they “will consider removing jurisdiction from the judiciary” regarding the voter-approved Issue 1 ballot initiative passed Tuesday. The Republican lawmakers went on to contend “the Ohio legislature alone will consider what, if any, modifications to make to existing laws based on public hearings and input from legal experts on both sides.”

"Instead of creating a constitutional crisis with desperate, anti-American attacks on the rule of law and the power of citizens, out-of-touch politicians should work to uphold the bipartisan will of the People by respecting healthcare decisions between women and their doctors,” Russo added.

House Democrats announced Thursday their plans to introduce the Reproductive Care Act, legislation that repeals existing statutes related to abortion care and adds protections related to patients and providers including data privacy, nondiscrimination, along with civil and criminal protections for evidence-based care.

It’s unclear whether the Republican supermajority in the Ohio legislature will quickly advance their proposed anti-American and undemocratic efforts, though GOP legislative leaders have indicated they will be working on ways to undermine the will of Ohio voters.

The Republican lawmakers noted several bills will be introduced in the coming weeks.