INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana is a red state. It is conservative. Republicans maintain a majority in the legislature. So it doesn’t take a legal or political scholar to tell you the Hoosier state will see abortion restrictions now that the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
But how far would those restrictions go?
"I think whether that means very restrictive or completely illegal is going to depend frankly [on] the dynamics within the state Republican Party, which controls all parts of state government," said Steve Sanders, a professor at IU Maurer School of Law.
Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, a Martinsville Republican, told 13News that the U.S. Supreme Court really does appear poised to overturn Roe v. Wade:
"It is good news and suggests Indiana will be in a position to improve our record as a strong defender of life. It is premature to say exactly what legislation could look like, given that nothing is final until the actual ruling is handed down, but we will continue watching this issue closely and be ready to act to improve protections for life."
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In March, 100 Republican legislators wrote a letter to Gov. Eric Holcomb, urging him to call a special session should the federal law be overturned.
"As a state that recognizes that life is a precious gift that should never be neglected, it is our desire that you, as the Governor of Indiana, ensure those values are upheld without delay," the letter reads.
And a pro-abortion rights think tank includes Indiana in a list of 26 states that are either "certain or likely" to ban abortion if overturned by the high court.
"This would be an interesting test of Gov. Holcomb, who has shown some willingness to stand up and defy the most conservative members of his party on some issues," Sanders said.
For now, Holcomb won’t say what he’ll do.
"Before further commenting on a leaked draft document out of the Supreme Court, like the rest of the country, I’ll wait to review the official and final decision they release on the matter in the few weeks and months ahead,” Holcomb said in a statement released by his office.
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