Idaho has become the first state to pass a law explicitly restricting some out-of-state travel for abortions, making it punishable by two to five years in prison to help a pregnant minor get an abortion. This is seen as a way for red states to limit access to abortion for minors, and is likely to face legal challenges as a violation of the right to privacy and a restriction on the right to travel.
Posts tagged as “Roe v. Wade”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has officially repealed the state's abortion ban, which has been in place since 1931. This repeal is part of a larger trend of partisan struggles in state capitals across the country, which could have a greater impact on the future of America than the drama surrounding former President Donald Trump. These clashes between Democrats and Republicans over issues like abortion and guns could shape future voting laws and electoral maps, and foreshadow the great debates to come in the 2024 presidential election.
Governor Whitmer signed legislation to repeal the 1931 abortion ban in Michigan, which was passed by the Democratically controlled state legislature last month. The repeal follows a major victory for abortion rights advocates in neighboring Wisconsin, and is a result of a major ballot drive galvanized by the US Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. The court is expected to decide a lawsuit challenging the state’s 1849 abortion ban, furthering the protection of women's rights in the region.
A 29-year-old Wisconsin man has been arrested in connection with a firebombing attack on an anti-abortion organization's office in the state's capital. The attack, which included graffiti reading "If abortions aren't safe then you aren't either", was linked to the suspect using DNA evidence from a partly eaten burrito. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The North Dakota Supreme Court has ruled to keep in place a lower court order blocking the enforcement of the state's trigger law banning abortion while a legal challenge continues. This case was brought by the Red River Women’s Clinic, which argued that the state constitution protected a right to an abortion in certain circumstances. The decision is seen as a victory for abortion rights advocates in the state, and will keep the trigger law blocked while the lawsuit over its constitutionality proceeds.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has taken proactive steps to protect abortion rights in the state, passing House Bill 4006 to repeal a 1931 law criminalizing abortion drugs. This was in response to Supreme Court oral arguments in December 2021, when conservative justices signaled their intent to overturn Roe v. Wade. The repeal of the law is a victory for abortion rights advocates in the state, and a sign of Governor Whitmer's commitment to protecting the rights of Michigan citizens.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State address on Tuesday, outlining his plans for the coming year and encouraging lawmakers to tackle a lengthy list of priorities. On the same day, a Florida Republican filed a six-week abortion ban, sparking debate among both sides of the aisle. DeSantis' speech and the proposed legislation have raised questions about the future of access to abortion care in the state.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has criticized the Department of Justice for not charging any protesters outside Supreme Court justices' homes in the wake of the Dobbs decision. In response, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that white supremacists are the most dangerous domestic terror group in the US, and that the DOJ is committed to protecting the rights of all Americans. The DOJ has yet to comment on Cruz's criticism.