Reaction in Tennessee and Georgia from leaders welcoming the overturning of Roe v. Wade

"Today's landmark Supreme Court decision marks the beginning of a hopeful, new chapter for our country. After years of heartfelt prayer and thoughtful policy, America has an historic opportunity to support women, children and strong families while reconciling the pain and loss caused by Roe v. Wade. We have spent years preparing for the possibility that authority would return to the states, and Tennessee's laws will provide the maximum possible protection for both mother and child." - Tennessee Gov Bill Lee

"Today's landmark ruling is a historic victory for life. I look forward to its impact on the legal proceeding surrounding Georgia's LIFE Act, and I hope our law will be fully implemented and ultimately protect countless unborn lives here in the Peach State." - Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp

"Our prayers were answers at the Supreme Court today! Roe is overturned and we are one step closer to ending the mass genocide of abortion in America." - Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Northwest Georgia

(READ MORE: Tennessee laws to restrict abortion expected to take effect following U.S. Supreme Court ruling)

"Today is a momentous and historic day for our republic. Forty-nine years ago, in 1973, the Supreme Court twisted our Constitution to create the right to abortion that has never existed in the Constitution. With today's ruling, the egregious and wrongly decided Roe v. Wade decision and 1992's Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision have been struck down, and the question of abortion goes back to the states and the people where it belongs. Since 1973, over 63 million innocent babies have been killed because of Roe. Beginning today, every unborn child has the chance to live as our creator intended. I am proud that Tennessee will lead the way to protect life in our state now Roe is gone." - U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, R-Ooltewah

"Having worked alongside Tennesseans to protect the innocent lives of unborn children for years, I applaud today's Supreme Court ruling. Despite false claims from the left, this decision will not ban abortion. Instead, it returns the decision to the states and empowers state legislatures with more flexibility to craft policy through the democratic process. It is unacceptable that a draft opinion was leaked in advance and that the person responsible has not been caught. The leaker has jeopardized the safety of our justices, and threats of violence by the radical militant mob are unacceptable. We appreciate the brave law enforcement officers working overtime to protect our justices and their families." - U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee

"I believe we have a moral duty to protect unborn children who cannot protect themselves. Today is a consequential day, not only for those who believe that all life is a precious gift, but also for American democracy and the rule of law. This decision doesn't ban abortion - it simply returns decision-making on abortion to the people. That's how it should be in a republic - matters not addressed by the Constitution should be decided by the people through their elected representatives, not by nine unelected judges in Washington, D.C. I will continue to strongly advocate for pro-life policies that safeguard our children and our families." - U.S. Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tennessee

(READ MORE: Protesters stand up for women's rights at Chattanooga's Coolidge Park after Supreme Court abortion ruling)

"This is a historic moment that we have been fighting for and working toward since our organization was founded in the wake of Roe. This is a victory for democracy. For the first time in almost 50 years, the voters and their elected representatives will have control over this issue rather than unelected judges, and we applaud that. This decision will allow our Tennessee laws to reflect our Tennessee values that unborn children should be protected by law and that every person deserves the right to be born." - Stacy Dunn, president, Tennessee Right to Life

"Today will go down in history as the day the Supreme Court righted one of the greatest wrongs in our nation's history. Our prayers have been answered, and we must continue our fight to protect life in every state!" - U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Ashland City

"Our Supreme Court justices stood strong in the face of political intimidation and made the right decision. A great day in the fight to protect life!" - U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Knoxville

"Arguments before the court made it clear that our ever-expanding scientific knowledge has identified the fact that everything essential for a growing human life is present from the moment of conception. Only time and nourishment are necessary to bring that life forward, created in the likeness and image of God with the human dignity enshrined by the creator in each of us as His children." - Catholic Bishops Richard F. Stika of Knoxville, J. Mark Spalding of Nashville and Bishop David P. Talley of Memphis

"This decision is a huge win for the cause of Life. For too long, abortion policy in this nation has been controlled by the federal judiciary. Now, once again, the voters of the individual states will have the ability to make policy through democratic means. In Tennessee, the voters have already made their views known through the passage of a constitutional amendment that makes clear that no right to abortion is contained in our constitution." - Tennessee Lt. Gov. Randy McNally

(READ MORE: Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade; states can ban abortion)

(READ MORE: Reaction in Tennessee and Georgia from leaders opposing the overturning of Roe v. Wade)

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