Title: One Year After Supreme Court Repeal, Abortion Legislation Divides United States
Subtitle: States Implement Varied Laws on Abortion Rights
Date: June 24, 2023
The United States remains deeply divided one year after the Supreme Court repealed the constitutional right to abortion, overturning the landmark 1973 Roe vs Wade decision. The highest American court justified its action by stating that the Constitution did not explicitly or implicitly guarantee the right to abortion.
Following the repeal, states were granted the authority to legislate on the subject as they saw fit. In the aftermath of the decision, Republican-majority states in the South and Central regions swiftly announced measures to suspend or restrict access to abortion. Conversely, states with a Democratic majority issued decrees to reaffirm women’s free access to abortion. Today, Le Figaro takes stock of the legislation currently in force.
Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wisconsin, have completely abolished the right to abortion without exceptions for women who are victims of rape or incest, according to the New York Times.
Other states have implemented restrictions on abortion with certain caveats. For instance, Mississippi prohibits abortion except in cases of rape, while West Virginia allows it only in cases of rape and incest. In North Dakota, all abortions are prohibited unless the pregnancy poses serious health risks to the mother, or in the first six weeks in cases of rape or incest. Idaho permits abortion only to save the life of the pregnant woman, with a federal judge blocking part of the anti-abortion law to protect a woman’s health.
In November 2022, the Supreme Court of Georgia reinstated the ban on abortion beyond six weeks of pregnancy after a trial judge had ruled it unconstitutional. Similar restrictions exist in Nebraska, Arizona, Utah, and North Carolina, with varying time limits for legal abortion. Florida’s abortion laws are also set to change, with the state parliament limiting the period to six weeks when the embryo’s heartbeat is detectable.
Some states, such as Indiana, Montana, Ohio, and South Carolina, are in provisional situations due to temporary blocks on abortion bans by judges. Abortion remains legal in these states until the twenty-second week of pregnancy or until the viability of the fetus.
In response to the bans and restrictions, several states have reaffirmed the right to abortion. Alaska, Colorado, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington DC allow abortion at any time without time limits. Other states permit abortion until the twenty-second or twenty-fourth week. California, Oregon, and Washington State created a territorial bloc where abortion is guaranteed since June 24, 2022, the day after the Roe v. Wade decision
How have state laws limiting access to abortion contributed to the divide among Americans and sparked legal challenges across the country?
, and Texas, have enacted strict laws severely limiting access to abortion. These laws generally prohibit abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks gestation. Additionally, some states have imposed mandatory waiting periods, required counseling sessions, and increased regulations on abortion clinics, making it increasingly difficult for women to obtain the procedure.
On the other hand, states like California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, New York, and Washington have taken steps to protect and expand access to abortion. These states have passed legislation ensuring that abortion remains legal and accessible, regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision. They have also allocated funding to support reproductive health clinics and provide resources for women seeking abortion services.
This stark contrast in legislation has led to a significant divide among Americans, with both pro-choice and pro-life advocates continuing to fiercely debate the issue. Pro-choice activists argue that these restrictive laws disproportionately affect low-income women and women of color, limiting their reproductive rights. They believe that abortion is a personal decision that should be made by a woman and her healthcare provider, free from government interference. On the other hand, pro-life activists argue that these measures protect the sanctity of life and defend the rights of the unborn.
The repeal of the constitutional right to abortion has also sparked legal challenges and court battles across the country. Various advocacy groups and organizations have filed lawsuits, aiming to overturn the restrictive laws or protect the laws that guarantee abortion rights. These legal battles will ultimately shape the future of abortion legislation in the United States.
Overall, the repeal of Roe v. Wade has deeply divided the United States, with differing state legislations and ongoing legal disputes. As the nation continues to grapple with this contentious issue, the fight for reproductive rights and access to safe and legal abortion remains ongoing.
