Democrat Senator: 'Can't Ignore' the Texas Abortion Ruling: 'I Believe in the Rule of Law'

(CNSNews.com) – Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) says she represents a “proud, pro-choice state,” and she opposes a Texas judge’s preliminary injunction to block access to the abortion drug mifepristone nationwide.

But she’s not willing, as some of her fellow lawmakers are, to simply ignore the ruling:

“No, we can’t ignore the rule of — I believe in the rule of law,” Cortez Masto told MSNBC’s Jen Psaki on Sunday.

“And it is important that we let it play out in the courts, but we continue to fight in the courts.

“Look, this is a call to action for everyone, whether it’s in the court system, whether it’s when we go to vote, whether it’s making sure that our elected representatives, particularly those far-right elected Republicans who are making these decisions on our behalf, they are listening to the American public, because, in Nevada, two-thirds of the voters support a woman’s — to choose.

“And across the country, a majority of Americans support a woman’s right to choose. Here’s what I know. And this is the — concerning, I think, for all of us to pay attention, and this is why it is important we see the next step.

“This is a concerted effort they have had to really erode and take back women’s rights in this country. And this is about our freedom. This — and, you know, when I talk to people in Nevada, this is about women’s right to choose and the freedom to access the science and the medication they need when they need it.

“I would never impose my rights — my beliefs on a woman. I couldn’t — I don’t know what it’s like to walk in their shoes, for a woman to make these decisions. She should have all of the available information and medication and access and science and doctors and make those decisions that are important for her.

“But what these right-wing judges and others who are making these decisions for us think it’s the representatives who should make these decisions and take away this right for women. It’s starting with the repeal of Roe vs. Wade. Now they’re taking away a key, key — a drug that women need with their doctors to make these decisions.

“And it’s not just about abortion. It’s about when there is a miscarriage. The next step is contraception — going after women’s rights when it comes to our reproductive freedom and the need for contraception. So this is a concerted effort that we see playing across the country. And we have to be vigilant.”

Cortez Masto said she doesn’t understand why Republican politicians “don’t get that this is such an emotional, personal issue for individuals. And that’s why you see voters coming out and saying, no, you can’t take this away from us.”

Host Psaki asked the senator, “Do you think that this (Texas) ruling could be a political problem for them (Republicans)?

“Well, I will tell you what. It’s — the Republicans in my state are not silent,” Cortez Masto said:

“When I was running for reelection, they came out and they supported me, and we did press conferences together. And that is one of the reasons why I am back in the Senate. I am back and elected to address this issue to protect women’s rights in the state of Nevada.

“So, again, it comes down to listening to the American public, listening to voters and what voters want, and not ignoring, not ignoring what the voters really want for their own freedoms, for some sort of personal gain.

“And that’s what we see happening across the country with some of these far-right extremists who are only in there for their personal gain and taking away and eroding the rights of women across this country.”

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