13
The Texas Abortion Ban By Abigail McDonald ‘23
On May 19, 2021, the Texas administration passed Senate Bill 8: a law that bans anyone from having an abortion if they are six weeks, or longer, into their pregnancy, regardless of how the pregnancy occurred. The six weeks marks the average point that a heartbeat can be detected in the embryo. Although this bill was passed in mid-May, it wasn’t meant to be put into action until September 1, 2021. During this time, many citizens, abortion clinics, and members of the Biden administration have fought hard to undue the law. In fact, some pro-choice activists claim that this is the most “extreme” and “radical” abortion law in the nation. The case was even taken to the Supreme Court by Whole Woman's Health, an advocacy organization for women’s health, and they petitioned for the law to be blocked on the grounds that it is unconstitutional. However, the Supreme Court refused to block the law in a vote that went 5-4. President Biden’s reaction to this information was a statement in which he swore to work to undo the law, and continue to protect abortion rights for everyone. The ruling has also caused quite the upheaval due to its conflict with the past ruling on the case Roe v. Wade, which occurred in 1973 and concluded that the constitution protects a pregnant person’s liberty to decide if they want an abortion with no interference from the government. The case has also brought an increase in pro-life movements; believers are pushing to have the Roe v. Wade ruling completely overturned. The Supreme Court has taken on this case, and began its actions on the 1st of October; it's expected to have a final ruling by June of 2022.
