States across the United States continue to grapple with the issue of abortion nearly a year after the Supreme Court’s landmark reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Recently, the prevailing trend has been a push to increase protections for the unborn.
In South Carolina, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed a bill banning most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, typically around six weeks into pregnancy.
The bill will now need approval from the state Senate and is expected to be signed into law by Republican Governor Henry McMaster.
Nebraska and North Carolina pass abortion restrictions
Neighboring North Carolina also saw Republican legislators override Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of a law that bans most abortions after 12 weeks and imposes new restrictions on chemical abortions starting July 1.
Nebraska’s legislature also voted to advance a 12-week abortion ban as part of a bill banning sex-change operations for minors.
‘Momentum for life continues,’ pro-life advocates celebrate
Pro-life advocates celebrated these developments, with Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser stating, “The momentum for life continues… We’re not even close to done yet,” expressing support for a federal abortion ban.
These recent victories for the pro-life movement build upon other efforts nationwide to restrict abortion access.
Read also: Publix Refuses to Fulfill the Request of Transgender Customer
Republican Governor Gianforte tightens abortion restrictions
Montana’s Republican Governor Greg Gianforte signed several bills to tighten abortion restrictions, including banning abortions after 24 weeks except when the mother’s life is at risk.
Florida also passed a six-week abortion ban, which will only take effect if the Florida Supreme Court upholds the state’s 15-week ban.
Read also: Here’s What Biden Has Accomplished That the Media Isn’t Telling You
FDA’s approval of mifepristone challenged in court
While states have been cracking down on abortion legality, chemical abortion has faced increased scrutiny due to concerns over the FDA’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone.
Doctors and medical associations sued the FDA, arguing it rushed its approval without sufficient safety reviews.
A federal judge ruled in favor of the doctors, leading to an appeal by the Department of Justice.
Abortion advocates rally for Supreme Court overhaul
The push to restrict abortion access and the uncertainty surrounding mifepristone’s availability has prompted the nation’s largest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, to lobby for expanding the Supreme Court.
They argue that the courts need reforms to protect rights and advance justice.
Senate Democrats also introduced a bill to add four seats to the Supreme Court, citing concerns over its conservative-leaning and legitimacy.
Republicans introduce constitutional amendment to oppose court-packing
Republicans oppose court-packing, claiming that Democrats want to add liberal-leaning justices to achieve desired legal outcomes.
The Democrats’ answer to a Supreme Court that is dedicated to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution is to pack it with liberals who will rule the way they want,” Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) told The Epoch Times in March after introducing a constitutional amendment that would block future attempts to add seats to the court.
However, with Republicans controlling the House and Democrats having a slim majority in the Senate, the chances of court-packing measures advancing are uncertain.
Read also: Biden Administration Proposes New Rules on Transgender Athletes
Tags:
