'Christ Wins': Arizona Leaders React To End Of Roe V. Wade

ARIZONA — Republicans rejoiced, some thanking both God and former President Donald Trump, as devastated Democrats promised to keep fighting for women's rights, after the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back federal abortion rights in a Friday decision that struck down Roe v. Wade.

"Today's decision is a major victory for the pro-life movement and for all unborn children," said Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona in a statement. "This historic decision will save the lives of millions of unborn children. I have always been committed to fighting for the sanctity of life."

The decision, authored by Justice Samuel Alito Jr., was released more than a month after a draft of the opinion leaked. Although the ruling on the Dobbs case was 6-3, the decision to strike down Roe and Casey was 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts writing a concurring opinion that said overturning the landmark statute went too far.

In Arizona, the decision means that a ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, signed into law in March, will soon be the law. It's unclear if Arizona's pre-Roe ban on abortions, dating back more than 100 year, will be enforced now or not.

Following Friday's announcement, Democratic U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona promised to continue to work for a woman's right to make her own decision about abortion.

"A woman’s health care decisions should be between her, her family, and her doctor," Sinema tweeted. "Today's decision overturning Roe v. Wade endangers the health and wellbeing of women in Arizona and across America."

Sinema's fellow Democrat, Sen. Mark Kelly, agreed with her.

"Today’s decision is a giant step backward for our country," Kelly said on Twitter. "It's just wrong that my granddaughter will have fewer freedoms than my grandmother did. Women deserve the right to make their own decisions about abortion. Period."

Pro-choice advocates gathered in protest across the country to show their anger, frustration and sadness over Friday's decision.

Republican U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona tweeted that Friday's Supreme Court decision meant "Christ wins."

"As amazing and historic as today is, there is still so much more work to be done to return this country to God," Gosar said on Twitter. "Thank the Lord for this day, and thank you President Trump for making this possible. Let's keep our momentum and push ever forward. For Him."

Arizona GOP Gov. Doug Ducey said that Roe was poorly reasoned and had no basis in the U.S. Constitution.

"The Supreme Court has made the right decision by finally overturning it and giving governing power back to the people and the states," Ducey said on Twitter. "I am proud that Arizona has been ranked the most pro-life state in the country. Here, we will continue to cherish life and protect it in every way possible."

Democratic U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego adamantly disagreed with Ducey.

"The right-wing majority on the Court, hellbent on rolling back women’s rights, chose to take our country backwards and endanger the lives of American women by ripping away the right to choose," Gallego said. "This decision strikes against the heart of our values and will cost American lives."