Friday October 22, 2021
Supreme Court calls for a hearing
Texas ban on abortion remains in effect
The US Supreme Court rejects President Biden’s motion: The controversial heartbeat law from Texas remains in effect – most abortions are prohibited. However, not all judges of the Supreme Court are convinced of the decision. A hearing has already been scheduled.
The strict abortion law in Texas remains in effect for the time being – but the US Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing in the case for November 1st. The Supreme Court thus rejected a motion by the administration of US President Joe Biden to suspend the law.
“Women who want to have an abortion performed in Texas are entitled to this court help them now,” wrote liberal judge Sonia Sotomayor in a dissenting opinion on the decision. “Since the court failed to act today, this remedy, if it does come, will be too late for many.” But it is good that a hearing has been scheduled as soon as possible.
The so-called Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions, went into effect in Texas in early September. It prohibits abortion once the fetus’s heartbeat has been determined. This can be the case as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. Many women do not even know at this point that they are pregnant.
What is unusual about the regulation is that it enables private individuals to take civil action against anyone who helps a woman with an abortion. The legal wrangling over the law has kept courts in suspense for weeks. The US government sued Texas after the law went into effect. By refusing to block the law pending a hearing, the court is sending an alarming signal, the civil rights organization ACLU responded to the decision.
Under ex-President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court had become much more conservative with new appointments. The court will soon deal with another case that could severely restrict abortion rights across the country.