On the morning of Tuesday, July 2, the Wisconsin State Supreme Court announced their ruling on the case of Kaul v. Urmanski. The 4-3 ruling effectively ended the state’s abortion ban which had been instituted in 1849. Liberal Supreme Court Justices had spent the past few years signaling their decision, so the ruling did not come as a surprise to many familiar with the recent campaign of Justice Janet Protasiewicz. Protasciewicz had previously signaled her support for upholding abortion rights after its legality was returned to the states.
For Wisconsin State Representative Barbara Dittrich, this ruling was “No surprise”.
“Sadly, most Wisconsinites want at least some limitations on abortions, and I have tried to meet the majority of people where they are at.
Unfortunately, this ruling leaves Wisconsin with open season on unborn children.”
Dittrich represents the 99th Assembly district, which covers large parts of Oconomowoc, Hartford, Chenequa, Hartland, Lac La Bella, Nashotah, and Neosho. This district trends Republican, with roughly 69% of residents identifying as or voting as Republicans.
Dittrich has been outspoken about her desire to “Preserve and protect life”, so her response to the ruling was unsurprising. In the past, Dittrich has helped author three different pro-life bills. Each of these were vetoed by Wisconsin’s Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Dittrich has stated:
One bill decertified Planned Parenthood as a health care provider under the state’s medical assistance program. Another prohibited abortion based upon gender or prenatal diagnosis. The final piece of legislation would establish a network of informational resources to parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis for their child.
The Supreme Court’s ruling took immediate effect upon its release, as it affirms lower court rulings that allowed for elective abortions to be legal for up to 20 weeks during a pregnancy. Abortion services throughout the state are expected to continue as they have since 2023.
As a response to the ruling, both Democrats and Republicans have expressed the desire to pass further legislation about the issue. Democrats may seek to codify abortion rights, while Republicans may seek to limit their legality in the wake of the court’s decision. Any attempts at restricting Wisconsin’s abortion rights may ultimately fall on legislation action, as previous attempts at restructuring the court have failed, as was the case with conservative Brad Schimel’s loss earlier this spring.
