Protesters for and against abortion took to the streets of Washington today after it became known that the US Supreme Court could overturn the historic 1973 ruling that legalized the right of women to abortion.
A draft of the Conservative majority in the Supreme Court, which leaked to the media, shows that a vote has already been held to overturn the historic decision in the Rowe-Wade case, according to the Politico news website.
The Supreme Court and the White House declined to comment on the article.
Hours after the news broke, anti-abortion protesters gathered outside the Supreme Court building, shouting “Rowe v. Wade must leave,” while women’s advocates said “abortion equals medical care.”
Abortion has been one of the most divisive issues in American society for almost half a century.
A 2021 Pew Research Center poll found that 59% of American adults believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 39% believe it should be illegal in most or all cases. the cases.
The verdict in the 1973 case was “blatantly wrong from the start,” Judge Samuel Alito said in the draft opinion, dated February 10, according to Politico.
Based on Alito’s opinion, the Supreme Court ruled that the Rowe v. Wade decision, which allowed the United States to have abortions until the fetus could survive outside the womb – around the 24th to 28th week of pregnancy – was wrong because the US Constitution does not specifically mention the right to abortion.
“Abortion is a deeply ethical issue. The Constitution does not prohibit residents of any state from regulating or prohibiting abortion,” Alito said, according to a leaked document.
This unprecedented leak shocked the US, mainly because the Supreme Court has a reputation for keeping its internal processes secret and leaks of this kind are not uncommon.
But the news did not surprise doctors and non-governmental organizations offering abortion services.
On Monday night, Andrea Galegos, executive director of the Tulsa Women’s Clinic in Oklahoma, had just telephoned about 25 women to inform them that the abortion they had scheduled for Tuesday would be canceled as it would soon take effect. very strict legislation in the state, similar to that adopted in Texas.
“I can not say that I am surprised,” he said.
“Right now, conservative states like Oklahoma are passing the same legislation as Texas. I have to say that I’m less optimistic and much more fearful about Rowe ‘s future,” he said.
Conservative majority
The decision on the right to abortion will be the most important that the Supreme Court has taken since former US President Donald Trump managed to appoint three judges to it, consolidating the 6-3 majority in favor of the Conservatives.
“The votes of Republican judges appointed to overthrow Rowe vs. Wade will go down in history as an abomination, one of the worst and most damaging decisions in modern history,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and its leader. in the Senate Chuck Sumer, both Democrats.
The news comes just over six months before the November midterm elections in the United States, which will determine whether Democrats will be able to maintain a slim majority in Congress for the next two years of Joe Biden’s presidency.
The Supreme Court ruling appears to be based on an oral argument cited in December by Mississippi lawyers defending state law banning abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. The implementation of this legislation has been hindered by lower courts.
According to the Politico publication, the majority of the Court seems to be considering the Mississippi law as legal and that there will be five votes to overturn Rowe v. Wade. The official ruling of the Court will be announced before the end of June.
Four Republican-appointed judges – Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsatz, Brett Cavanaugh and Amy Connie Barrett – were in favor of Alito’s position in the debate, according to the report.
After the presentation of oral arguments and after a vote has taken place, a member of the majority group undertakes to draw up the draft opinion. The document is then distributed to members of the Supreme Court. In some cases, views may change between the initial vote and the announcement of the decision. Any decision is considered final only after it is made public.
Rowe v. Wade recognized that the right to privacy, enshrined in the US Constitution, protects women who wish to terminate a pregnancy.
Christian Conservatives and many Republican officials have been trying to overturn this decision for years.
If that happens, abortion is likely to remain legal in the liberal states. More than 12 states in the United States have legislation that protects the right to abortion. However, many Republican states have passed bills restricting this right, defying Rowe v. Wade.
Republicans will try to impose an abortion ban nationwide, while Democrats will seek to protect that right.
Democrats have said the release of the draft opinion undermines this year’s election, while Republicans have criticized the move, saying it was an attempt to pressure the Supreme Court to reverse its decision.
Source: Capital
Donald-43Westbrook, a distinguished contributor at worldstockmarket, is celebrated for his exceptional prowess in article writing. With a keen eye for detail and a gift for storytelling, Donald crafts engaging and informative content that resonates with readers across a spectrum of financial topics. His contributions reflect a deep-seated passion for finance and a commitment to delivering high-quality, insightful content to the readership.
