Supreme Court strikes down Texas abortion access law

[Leonthecat]

Supreme Court strikes down Texas abortion access law

Washington (CNN)In a dramatic ruling, the Supreme Court on Monday threw out a Texas abortion access law in a victory to supporters of abortion rights who argued it would have shuttered all but a handful of clinics in the state.

The 5-3 ruling is the most significant decision from the Supreme Court on abortion in two decades and could serve to deter other states from passing so-called "clinic shutdown" laws.
In joining with the liberal justices, perennial swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy helped deliver a victory to abortion rights activists and signaled the court's majority in their favor could continue regardless of the presidential election and the filling of the empty seat on the bench left by the death of conservative Justice Antonin Scalia.
Supreme Court issues in 2016
Photos: Supreme Court issues in 2016
Justice Stephen Breyer wrote the majority opinion, which was joined in full by Kennedy. Breyer wrote that despite arguments that the restrictions were designed to protect women's health, the reality is that they merely amounted to burdening women who seek abortions.
"There was no significant health-related problem that the new law helped to cure," Breyer wrote. "We agree with the District Court that the surgical-center requirement, like the admitting-privileges requirement, provides few, if any, health benefits for women, poses a substantial obstacle to women seeking abortions, and constitutes an "undue burden" on their constitutional right to do so."
Abortion in America: More complex than you think
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg joined Breyer's opinion and wrote a brief concurring opinion, which focused on what she called women in "desperate circumstances."
"When a State severely limits access to safe and legal procedures, women in desperate circumstances may resort to unlicensed rogue practitioners, faute de mieux, at great risk to their health and safety," she wrote.
Political implications
The ruling will have reverberations on the presidential election, where the fate of the Supreme Court has been front-and-center after the death of Scalia in February. Senate Republicans have refused to act on President Barack Obama's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland, leaving the court with eight justices.
Supreme Court vacates former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's conviction
But Monday's ruling signals that even if Republicans were to name that replacement, the court still has a five-justice majority that could rule against abortion restrictions. And if Hillary Clinton were to win, the majority could even grow.
Hillary Clinton immediately praised the ruling.
"SCOTUS's decision is a victory for women in Texas and across America. Safe abortion should be a right—not just on paper, but in reality. -H"

SCOTUS's decision is a victory for women in Texas and across America. Safe abortion should be a right—not just on paper, but in reality. -H

President Barack Obama said he is "pleased" by the ruling.


http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/27/politics/supreme-court-abortion-texas/

Biggest abortion decision in 25 years and Scalia's opinion would not have changed it.

[Legion Troll]

The same JPP cons who were jubilant about the SCOTUS ruling last week will now condemn them as "activist judges" and "black-robed tyrants", won't they?

[Leonthecat]

The same JPP cons who were jubilant about the SCOTUS ruling last week will now condemn them as "activist judges" and "black-robed tyrants", won't they?

I believe that would be an accurate prediction.

[Legion Troll]

I believe that would be an accurate prediction.

I believe it is, Brother Leon. I'm gratified that you concur.

Do you suppose cons will deny it and start a copycat thread?

[BRUTALITOPS]

The same JPP cons who were jubilant about the SCOTUS ruling last week will now condemn them as "activist judges" and "black-robed tyrants", won't they?

i support the decision. seems very reasonable.

[Leonthecat]

i support the decision. seems very reasonable.

Obama will be pleased.

[Legion Troll]

Grind seems to be the only one pleased by this momentous decision, Brother Leon.

Why do you suppose the other JPP righties aren't adding their paeans of approval?