Democrats push to cement abortion protections in Congress as GOP cheers possible overturning of Roe

WASHINGTON — Texas lawmakers were divided largely along party lines Tuesday over a leaked Supreme Court opinion striking down the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision that established a woman's legal right to an abortion.

In statements shared on social media feeds, Republican members of the state's congressional delegation were embracing the draft opinion's substance while denouncing the leak itself as an unprecedented bid to pressure the court into changing course.

A number of Democrats sounded alarms over the direction of the court and urged the Senate to take up legislation enshrining Roe's fundamental protections into federal law, thereby pre-empting state bans on the procedure. The Women's Health Protection Act already has cleared the House.

Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, said the leaked opinion is "incredibly disturbing" but noted that it's only a draft at this point.

"I urge my Senate colleagues to codify Roe v. Wade immediately,"Garcia said.