As the Supreme Court weighs the biggest abortion rights challenge in a generation, legislators are prepping bills that would exacerbate the divide between abortion deserts and access points.
One of the most conservative appeals courts in the country heard arguments Friday on whether and how the lawsuit challenging Texas’ six-week abortion ban should proceed.
Despite a December ruling allowing legal challenges to proceed, the abortion law remains in effect. Where do things currently stand? And where will they go next?
The Thursday announcement upholds a decision from April to temporarily suspend federal requirements that had previously required in-person purchase of abortion pills from a clinic, hospital or medical office.
Legal experts say the Supreme Court’s narrow ruling on who can be sued over the state’s six-week ban complicates a potential injunction on enforcement of the law.
The decision does not immediately change the availability of abortion in Texas and leaves open an avenue for states to pass future abortion restrictions.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett asked about safe haven laws and their ability to relieve the burden of parenting.
A majority of justices seems likely to uphold Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban. It would represent a major weakening of the landmark 1973 case.
Here are some of the key moments in the almost five decades that have passed since the Roe v. Wade ruling.