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The New Abortion Wars in Kentucky, Mississippi, and Ohio
In the past few months, America has seen a wave of states introduce anti-abortion legislation. “The anti-abortion movement is feeling emboldened to really kind of take the next step,” said Heather Shumaker, senior counsel for reproductive rights and health at the National Women’s Law Center.
On March 19th, Mississippi’s governor signed into law the most restrictive abortion measure in the United States, banning all abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy.
Saying that he was “saving the unborn,” Gov. Phil Bryant of Mississippi signed into law on Monday a measure that would ban almost all abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. Abortion rights supporters called it the earliest abortion ban in the country, and said it was an unconstitutional restriction that defied years of federal court precedent over the limits states may impose on abortion providers.
That measure is on hold for now.
The only abortion clinic in the state, Jackson Women’s Health Organization, quickly filed a complaint in federal court to block the law.
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves issued a temporary restraining order March 20 to block the law for 10 days. Reeves on Wednesday [March 28th] extended the block until April 13, giving attorneys for the clinic and the state more time to work on legal arguments.
Last Tuesday, Kentucky joined the evil party.
The Kentucky House of Representatives passed legislation on Tuesday to ban a common abortion procedure from the 11th week of pregnancy, in what would be one of the strictest abortion limits in the United States.
The procedure covered by the legislation, known as dilation and evacuation, accounts for 16 percent of all abortions performed in Kentucky. It is primarily used for pregnancies in the second trimester.
Since last year, when Republicans took control of the Kentucky House for the first time since 1921, the state’s legislature has passed several measures to restrict access to abortion, including banning all abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy.
Not to be outdone, Ohio has raised the stakes even higher, made even more surprising considering it's a swing state.
Ohio lawmakers have proposed banning abortion altogether.
Various states have tried this but were ruled illegal.
Last year, a similar measure passed by Texas lawmakers was struck down by a federal judge. Similar bans in other states including Alabama, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma have also been struck down by courts.
Sources:
https://www.vox.com/2018/3/28/17173872/abortion-pro-life-anti-groups-today-explained-podcast
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/19/us/mississippi-abortion-ban.html