- The US Supreme Court has made a historic decision to overturn the country’s liberal abortion laws.
- And so the predominantly conservative Washington Supreme Court paved the way for stricter abortion laws — even including outright bans in some US states.
- With that said, current abortion rights in the United States are history nearly half a century later.
- US President Joe Biden called the ruling a “tragic mistake” in an initial reaction.
The ruling stated that “the constitution does not grant the right to an abortion.” Liberal justices were highly critical of the conservative majority’s ruling. “It results in women not having important rights from the moment of conception,” Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan wrote in a dissenting opinion co-authored by him. “The state can compel you to complete a pregnancy, even if it involves huge personal and family costs.”
Wide limitations can be expected
In about half of the states, there are likely to be widespread restrictions now. There is no federal law in the United States that permits or prohibits abortion.
However, abortion is allowed at least until the fetus is viable – today around the 24th week. This has been ensured thus far by a 1973 ruling of the US Supreme Court known as “Roe v. Wade » known. Another 1992 ruling, Planned Parenthood v. Casey”, consolidated and modified the case law to some extent. The Supreme Court has now overturned these decisions.
Criticisms from the Democratic side
US President Joe Biden has called the historic Supreme Court decision against liberal abortion laws a “tragic mistake.” “It is, in my view, an investigation of extremist ideology and a tragic mistake on the part of the Supreme Court,” Biden said in Washington. “This is a sad day,” the US president continued in a speech shortly after the Supreme Court ruling, “sad for the country and the Supreme Court.” The court deprived American citizens of their rights.
Biden announced that he would introduce legislation to Congress that would overturn the Supreme Court’s decision. But Democrats currently have only a slim majority there.
Former US President Barack Obama also shares Biden’s assessment and called for resistance. “Today the Supreme Court has not only invalidated nearly 50 years of its precedent, but has left the personal decision that anyone can make to the whims of politicians and ideologues – and attacked the fundamental liberties of millions of Americans,” Obama wrote on Twitter.
On the other hand, former President Donald Trump hailed the decision as a “lifetime victory”. The decision was only possible because he appointed three conservative justices to the Supreme Court. “It was a great honor for me to do so,” Trump said. Despite the “radical left”, there is still hope to save the country.
A number of liberal American states have declared their desire to protect abortion rights despite the decision. The governors of California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York, among others, have declared their liberal stance on abortion. “We will always be a safe haven for anyone across the country in need of abortion treatment. You have my say,” New York Gov. Cathy Hochhol said.
“Tv specialist. Friendly web geek. Food scholar. Extreme coffee junkie.”
More Stories
Plane from Olympic Airlines: Ellinikon's Boeing 727 is designed in a new location
The United Nations must come to the rescue – also in Geneva – News
A Paris Marathon runner at the end of his powers sparks controversy