With Eyes On The Supreme Court, Alabama Poised To Effectively Ban All Abortions, Criminalize The Procedure
The sweeping ban is a departure from more incremental measures other conservatives states have taken. The legislation stands in direct opposition to Roe v. Wade and seems designed to land in the Supreme Court to challenge the white whale of the anti-abortion movement.
The New York Times:
As States Race To Limit Abortions, Alabama Goes Further, Seeking To Outlaw Most Of Them
Amid a flurry of new limits on abortion being sought in states around the nation, Alabama is weighing a measure that would go further than all of them — outlawing most abortions almost entirely. The effort in Alabama, where the State Senate could vote as soon as Thursday, is unfolding as Republicans, emboldened by President Trump and the shifting alignment of the Supreme Court, intensify a long-running campaign to curb abortion access. (Williams and Blinder, 5/8)
In other news on women's health and abortion —
The Washington Post:
House Democrats Seek To Block Trump’s Faith-Based Protections For Health Workers
The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday voted to block a new Trump administration rule allowing health workers to refuse services that violate their religious beliefs. The measure by Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) would prevent spending to implement the new rule, which Trump announced last week during a speech before faith leaders. The broad new rule allows health-care providers, insurers and employers to refuse to provide or pay for services that violate their religious or moral beliefs, such as abortion or assisted suicide. (Werner, 5/8)
