Abortion now absolutely illegal in multiple states with no exceptions as Court decision roils U.S.

Daily Kos Staff

Friday June 24, 2022 · 8:14 AM PDT

2022/06/24 · 08:14

A pro-choice supporter cries outside the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC, on June 24, 2022. - The US Supreme Court on Friday ended the right to abortion in a seismic ruling that shreds half a century of constitutional protections on one of the most divisive and bitterly fought issues in American political life. The conservative-dominated court overturned the landmark 1973 "Roe v Wade" decision that enshrined a woman's right to an abortion and said individual states can permit or restrict the procedure themselves. (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP) (Photo by OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images)

Usually, when a decision is handed down from the Supreme Court, it takes some time before the broad consequences of that decision are felt across the nation. That’s not the case with Dobbs. The official ruling handed down on Friday morning eliminates the protections provided under both Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey. It’s a moment Republicans have been salivating over for decades. And they have their plans already in place in state after state.

The organization ineedana.com has put together a list of states where Republicans had pre-written trigger laws already in place. They planted traps for pregnant people in need of care. Those traps have now been sprung. Included below are a list of states where abortion is now officially illegal, and others where that moment could come at any minute.

For the first time in living memory, the Supreme Court has moved to do what many thought would never happen—it has eliminated a human right. Now the terrible cost of that decision will fall not on abstract institutions, but on millions of individual Americans, many of whom were already in extremely difficult circumstances.

Friday, Jun 24, 2022 · 5:47:16 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Multiple clinics in Texas have now closed as Attorney General Ken Paxton has given prosecutors the signal to file charges against anyone seeking or providing an abortion. Whole Woman’s Health has halted services in its four Texas clinics. The Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity have stopped collecting or providing funds in Texas as Paxton has suggested that pre-Roe laws make it possible to charge those involved with the funds.

In theory, Texas’ law doesn’t go into effect for 30 days, but Paxton has told prosecutors that they can pursue charges under pre-Roe statues, so they don’t have to wait for the newer law to go into effect.

Texas has a “trigger” law in place that will ban all abortions from the moment of fertilization starting 30 days after the Supreme Court’s judgement, which is typically issued about a month after the initial opinion. https://t.co/BFrFywwt7d
— Texas Tribune (@TexasTribune) June 24, 2022

Sign now: Impeach Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh for lying under oath

States where abortion is now completely illegal:

Kentucky
Louisiana
Oklahoma
South Dakota

States where abortion becomes illegal as soon as the state legislature or state official issues a declaration recognizing the Court decision.

Alabama
Arkansas
Missouri
Mississippi
Utah
West Virginia

(Update: In the last hour, Attorney General Eric Schmitt has triggered the law in Missouri.)

States where abortion will become illegal as soon as the government officially recognizes the Court ruling.

Wyoming

States where abortion will officially become illegal in 30 days

Idaho
North Dakota
Tennessee
Texas

In addition, ineedana notes that Arizona will, for now, enforce its 15-day ban. But Republican legislators there have already moved to expand this into a total ban.

Technically, abortion is also now illegal in Wisconsin, based on a law that dates to 1849. However, Democratic state attorney general Josh Kaul says he will not enforce that law and has called on the governor and state legislature to repeal it in a special session.

Many of these states in this list have no exception for rape or incest. Some have no exception even for the health of the mother. The consequences to lives and cost to both individuals and the nation is inestimable. Local prosecutors have already charged a woman with murder for seeking an abortion even before this ruling was handed down.

Clinics in many states are expected to close immediately. That includes clinics that were giving vitally required health care unrelated to abortion care. Those who were scheduled for procedures in many of these states are now desperately in need of transportation to states where their rights as individuals are still respected.

Laws in some states that attempt to make traveling across state lines to seek abortion care, or make it illegal to help someone obtain an abortion, are about to be tested. So are laws that will seek criminal penalties against those seeking abortions, doctors, partners, and supporters. The consequences of this decision are going to hit the country like a hammer … but the consequences to individuals who are in need of care today, right now, at this hour, are horrible.

If you or someone you know is in need of abortion care. Go to ineedana.com to seek help.

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Friday, Jun 24, 2022 · 3:37:32 PM +00:00 · Mark Sumner

Worth noting that while abortions remain legal in D.C. for now, it would only take a Republican majority in Congress for that to change. Republicans have long stopped D.C. from subsidizing abortions for low-income women, so an outright ban wouldn't be unexpected.
— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) June 24, 2022

Abortion now absolutely illegal in multiple states with no exceptions as Court decision roils U.S.

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