Hearing To Determine Future Of Missouri’s Last Remaining Abortion Clinic Starts Today

The Associated Press: Missouri Subpoenas Abortion Clinic Doctors Amid Legal Battle
A St. Louis judge on Tuesday is set to weigh whether physicians from the state's only abortion clinic can be forced to testify amid a legal fight over the facility's license. The state issued subpoenas to staffers, contractors and former medical residents who worked at Planned Parenthood's St. Louis facility, according to court documents filed by Planned Parenthood. (Ballentine, 6/4)

Reuters: Fate Of Missouri's Only Abortion Clinic At Stake As St. Louis Judge Holds Hearing
Planned Parenthood sued Missouri last week after state health officials refused to renew the license of Reproductive Health Services of Planned Parenthood in St. Louis because, they said, they were unable to interview seven of its physicians over “potential deficient practices,” according to court documents. Abortion is one of the most socially divisive issues in U.S. politics, with opponents often citing religious beliefs to call it immoral. Abortion-rights advocates say the bans amount to state control of women’s bodies. (6/4)

KCUR: Missouri Abortion Ban Opponents Could Face Referendum Snag 
After Gov. Mike Parson signed an eight-week abortion ban into law, opponents vowed to put the measure up for a statewide vote — similar to a successful effort in 2018 to repeal Missouri’s right-to-work law. But there could be an obstacle: A clause making one part of the proposal go into effect right away. Missouri’s Constitution sets up a process to put any piece of legislation signed into law up for a statewide referendum. (Rosenbaum, 6/3)

The Associated Press: Abrams To Go To Hollywood As Fears Grow Over GA Abortion Ban
After Georgia's Republican Gov. Brian Kemp postponed a trip to Hollywood amid fallout over the abortion ban he signed into law, his Democratic rival Stacey Abrams is planning to go instead. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Abrams will meet with Hollywood figures June 11 alongside the president of an abortion rights group. An invitation obtained by the newspaper says they'll address the "reality that employees in the state may not have full access to healthcare." (6/3)

The Associated Press: Judge Questions Reasons For Indiana Abortion Procedure Ban
A federal judge grilled an attorney for the state of Indiana on Monday over whether the Legislature had legitimate reasons for approving a law that would largely ban a second-trimester abortion procedure. The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana is seeking a preliminary injunction blocking the restrictions on dilation and evacuation abortions, which the legislation calls "dismemberment abortion." (Davies, 6/3)

The Hill: Haley To Target Abortion-Rights Advocates Who 'Demand Conformity': 'That Is Not Real Feminism' 
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley on Monday is expected to lambast abortion-rights activists who she says are demanding “conformity.” Axios reports that the former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador under President Trump will criticize abortion-rights advocates in her keynote address at the Susan B. Anthony List's 12th annual Campaign for Life Gala on Monday evening. (Daugherty, 6/3)

The Hill: Head Of Anti-Abortion Group Promises To Spend $41M During 2020 Election Cycle
The president of the nation’s largest anti-abortion advocacy group said Monday night it would spend $41 million in the 2020 cycle to re-elect President Trump and “pro-life” members of Congress while advocating for more abortion restrictions at the state level. The goal, said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, is to eventually overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that established a woman’s right to abortion. (Hellmann, 6/3)