Montana politicians react after state Supreme Court ruling on abortion access for minors (2024)

HELENA, Mont. Following a Montana Supreme Court decision on Wednesday which ruled that minors do not require parental permission to receive an abortion, some Montana politicians are releasing official statements to the public.

NonStop Local has reached out to the offices of multiple elected and campaigning Montana politicians and will continue to update this story with statements as they are released:

Governor Greg Gianforte

Governor Greg Gianforte today issued the following statement in response to the Montana Supreme Court striking down the Parental Consent for Abortion Act of 2013:

“As a strong defender of parental rights, I’m deeply concerned and disappointed by today’s ruling from the Montana Supreme Court, which states parents do not have a fundamental right to oversee the medical care of their young daughters. In its ruling, the Court has wielded its gavel like a hammer against one of the fundamental rights in our history: the right of parents to consent to the medical care of their minor children.”

Senator Jon Tester

The Office of Senator Jon Tester provided the following statement regarding Wednesday's ruling from Montana Supreme Court:

“Senator Tester believes that no politician should be in the business of making health care decisions for women. He will continue to fight for Montana women to have the freedom and privacy to make their own personal health care decisions.”

Monica Tranel

Democrat candidate for U.S. House District 1, Monica Tranel released this statement regarding the Montana State Supreme Court ruling on Wednesday:

"Freedom and privacy means freedom and privacy. Our State Constitution affirms the right to privacy for ALL Montanans, and I will always support the freedom of Montanans to make their own personal, private medical decisions."

Senator Steve Daines

Senator Daines released the following statement through his social media account on X/Twitter:

Today's MT Supreme Court ruling is a dangerous attack on parents, young women and families and will have devastating consequences to the health care of children across our state.

Tim Sheehy

A spokesperson for Tim Sheehy's campaign for Senator provided this statement:

“As the father of four young children, including two young daughters, Tim is troubled by this decision that weakens parental rights and puts young girls at risk. This move by the Montana Supreme Court should concern every Montanan—parents absolutely should be a part of their child’s health care.”