Supreme Court Rules to Leave Texas Abortion Law in Effect
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iStockphoto/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — A United States Supreme Court decision will keep many abortion clinics in Texas closed for now.
The court’s conservative majority Tuesday rejected an emergency appeal of a new law with tough safety measures that closed one-third of abortion clinics in Texas last month.
Joe Pojman, of the Texas Alliance for Life, said the ruling is good news for women concerned about safety.
“We filed a friend of the court brief with the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that the law should continue to remain in effect because there has been no undue burden placed on women considering abortion in Texas,” Pojman said.
But Planned Parenthood vice president Eric Ferrero said that will lead women to take desperate and dangerous measures.
“We know what happens when you take away access to safe and legal abortion. People don’t stop getting abortions, they stop getting safe abortions from licensed medical providers….We’re deeply disappointed but this is far from over,” Ferrero said.
Texas State Senator Wendy Davis, an ardent advocate of women’s abortion rights, released a statement saying: “Clinics will close and women’s health will be hurt because of this law. This is an abuse of power by politicians in Austin. I trust women to make their own decisions and will continue to work to make sure that women and mothers are safe and have access to adequate health care.”
Pojman of the Texas Alliance for Life believes the decision could impact the national debate over abortion. He said, “If the result in Texas is favorable, from our point of view and the 5th circuit upholds that, that will be very good news for Mississippi, where they are considering a similar law.”
The law will now remain in effect until an appeal is heard by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans in January.
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