New Mexico State Rep. Rebecca Dow (R-Truth or Consequences) is calling for greater regulation over the practice of abortion in New Mexico, following the U.S. Supreme Court's Dobbs ruling, which has effectively overturned Roe v. Wade.
Today, in its Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization ruling, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) essentially disregarded precedent, establishing a constitutional right to abortion and ruled that states can individually ban the practice of abortion.
"The Supreme Court’s decision today rightly returns the rule-making process for abortion laws to the elected officials at the state level," Dow said in a press release. "Unfortunately, Since New Mexico does not regulate abortion, the SCOTUS ruling has no effect on New Mexico’s current outrageous abortion practices. In New Mexico, elective abortions can be performed up to the moment of birth, minors can receive an abortion without their parents being notified and hospital services are not required for abortion services. While around half the states in the nation plan to tighten up laws around abortion, New Mexico will remain one of the only places in the world that provides abortion of healthy babies up to birth. I applaud the SCOTUS decision, but we have much work to do in New Mexico when it comes to protecting the life of the unborn."
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization focused on sexual and reproductive health and rights, New Mexico does not have any of the abortion restrictions found in some other states — such as waiting periods, mandated parental involvement or limitations on publicly funded abortions.
Dow has represented the 38th District of New Mexico since 2017. She was most recently a contender for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2022, according to her website.