A delegation of lawmakers representing South Dakota petitioned the Supreme Court via a resolution to overturn Roe v. Wade, the case that opened the doors to legalized abortion in the United States, and in so doing, protect women's rights.
"We cannot protect our citizens properly and to the extent they deserve to be protected because of Roe v. Wade," said Rep. Lynne DiSanto to the Daily Caller.
The resolution passed the state's legislature with 86 percent support of the representatives and 74 percent of the senators.
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"We all take an oath," Rep. Roger Hunt said. "First thing we do when we get sworn in, we swear to uphold the Constitution, which says very basically, protect the rights of our people. And so that to me is a very strong argument for telling the Supreme Court to reevaluate Roe v. Wade."
The resolution speaks directly to the need to uphold women's health.
"We find that Roe v. Wade and its progency promote and protect the deprivation of numerous intrinsic rights and interests of the pregnant mothers themselves," the resolution states, in part, the Daily Caller reported. "The people of our state have an interest in protecting each of these rights and interests."
Among the listed rights and interests of the mother: A right to "her relationship with her child." A right to uphold "her own health." And "an interest in her dignity as a mother," the news outlet said.
The resolution calls Roe v. Wade a mistake and says the court's previous decision "treats abortion only as a benefit to the woman, and assumes she loses nothing of value to her."