HARRISBURG, Pa. (WENY) - This morning’s decision from the Supreme Court means the future of abortion access will be decided by the individual states. 

In Pennsylvania, abortion is currently legal up until the 24th week of pregnancy, with exceptions only if the health or life of a mother is at risk. 

This morning, Governor Tom Wolf expressed his disappointment with this morning’s decision. 

“I am deeply disappointed in today’s Supreme Court opinion and the impact this decision will have nationwide. The right to bodily autonomy—and privacy as a whole—is under attack in this country,” said Wolf. “This is a painful decision, and women who are faced with this painful decision, should have the right to make it on their own,” Wolf added. 

He says abortion will remain legal and safe in Pennsylvania as long as he is governor, but his time in office is limited 

“As long as I am governor, I will protect the right of women to make their own health care decisions,” said Wolf. 

Wolf, who is term-limited, will be succeeded by either Democratic pro-choice candidate, Josh Shapiro or Republican pro-life candidate, State Senator Doug Mastriano. 

“This ruling makes the election even more important because whoever sits at this desk is the one who's going to determine whether Pennsylvanians can continue to count on the right to make their own decision, rather than have a decision made for them,” said Wolf. 

Republicans currently hold the majority in both the House and Senate. This year’s redistricting process produced new House and Senate maps. The House maps have the potential to slightly benefit Democrats more than the previous map, but whether it will be a large enough of an advantage to flip the House, will be determined this November. 

If Republicans maintain a majority, they're likely to push pro-life legislation now that the decision is up to individual states. Pro-life lawmakers say they’re well equipped and ready to move forward. 

However, whether that legislation becomes law largely depends on who will hold the governor’s pen. 

Attorney General Shapiro has vowed to veto any legislation restricting abortion access, and State Senator Mastriano calls this morning’s decision a “triumph for innocent life.” 

Mastriano’s campaign released a full statement on the overturning of Roe v. Wade Friday afternoon:  

“Roe v. Wade is rightly relegated to the ash heap of history. As the abortion debate returns to the states, Pennsylvania must be prepared to lead the nation in being a voice for the voiceless.  While this decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is a triumph for innocent life, it must not take our focus away from the key issues facing Pennsylvania families.”   

“Pennsylvanians will not be distracted by the hysterics of the left as they exploit this ruling to try to fulfill their far-left agenda. As they struggle with all-time record-high inflation, the people care deeply about the price of gas and groceries, as well as out-of-control crime and good-paying jobs – which is exactly why I will prioritize these issues as their governor.” 

Earlier today during a media call, Shapiro said the Republican majority General Assembly is ready to pass pro-life legislation. If elected, he would not hesitate to veto it. 

“Our legislature is poised to pass a bill that would outlaw abortion and criminalize doctors for providing reproductive health care. They'll be sending us bills to do away with abortion rights in Pennsylvania, and I will veto those bills,” said Shapiro. “What I want you to know is that the stakes in this governor's race could not be more clear, and the contrast between me and my dangerous opponent could not be greater,” Shapiro added. 

Shapiro’s campaign also released a full statement on the decision this morning: 

“While we expected we'd face this devastating ruling — this is a tragic day for our country, as a woman’s freedom to choose now depends on the state in which she lives. Abortion is still legal in Pennsylvania, but whether it remains legal depends entirely on who we elect as our next Governor.”  
 
“Our state Legislature is poised to pass a law banning abortion in Pennsylvania, and my extremist opponent Doug Mastriano would sign that bill into law as Governor. Mastriano wants to dictate how Pennsylvanians live their lives – he has said he wants to ban all abortion, with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother, and that he wants to throw doctors and nurses in jail for providing reproductive health care. Mastriano wants to take away Pennsylvanians’ freedoms – the freedom to make decisions over your own body and the freedom to decide when and how to start a family.   


“As Governor, I will veto any bill that restricts a woman’s right to choose. Our next Governor will decide whether abortion remains legal in our Commonwealth – I will defend the freedom of Pennsylvania women to make decisions over their own bodies.”