One of the most restrictive abortion bans in the United States went into effect in Texas.
The Supreme Court decided not to block the “fetal heartbeat bill,” a law banning all abortions after six weeks, as The Hill reports.
The law also applies to rape and incest, as Axios noted. The outlet also pointed out it is the most restrictive abortion ban in the country and prohibits abortion after the baby’s heartbeat is detected.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed the bill in May. Additionally, the law would allow private citizens to sue abortion providers if they believe they are in violation of the measure.
“Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of abortion. In Texas, we work to save those lives,” Abbott said at a bill-signing ceremony.
The decision garnered strong reactions from lawmakers and President Joe Biden.
Biden said in a Wednesday statement, “Today, Texas law SB8 went into effect. This extreme Texas law blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe v. Wade and upheld as precedent for nearly half a century.”
He added, “The Texas law will significantly impair women’s access to the health care they need, particularly for communities of color and individuals with low incomes. And, outrageously, it deputizes private citizens to bring lawsuits against anyone who they believe has helped another person get an abortion, which might even include family members, health care workers, front desk staff at a health care clinic, or strangers with no connection to the individual.”
Biden on Texas abortion ban: “This extreme Texas law blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe v. Wade and upheld as precedent for nearly half a century.” pic.twitter.com/uaNhKHmZap
— Jim Acosta (@Acosta) September 1, 2021
Biden claimed his administration “is deeply committed to the constitutional right established in Roe v. Wade nearly five decades ago and will protect and defend that right.”
Rep. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) tweeted, “I’m thinking about the Black, brown, low-income, queer, and young folks in Texas. The folks this abortion health care ban will disproportionately harm.”
She added, “Wealthy white folks will have the means to access abortion care. Our communities won’t.”
I’m thinking about the Black, brown, low-income, queer, and young folks in Texas. The folks this abortion health care ban will disproportionately harm.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) September 1, 2021
Wealthy white folks will have the means to access abortion care. Our communities won’t.
Others chimed in slamming Texas for the bill.
Under the cover of darkness, by choosing to do nothing, the Supreme Court allowed an unconstitutional abortion ban in Texas to go into effect last night.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) September 1, 2021
Their decision doesn’t change the fact that reproductive rights are human rights. We'll fight for them.https://t.co/hp1N6G2S3M
Silently–in the dead of night–the Supreme Court eviscerated the protection of a woman’s right to choose that has been protected for 50 years.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) September 1, 2021
CA will continue to protect this fundamental right & lead the nation in expanding access to reproductive care. https://t.co/Y10AlJ7wui
Texas' abortion ban, which denies women their constitutionally protected rights, is the product of a decades-long effort from right-wing activists to overturn Roe v. Wade.
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) September 1, 2021
We must stand up for those freedoms—in the states, in Congress, and in the courts.https://t.co/v9f4nCnrNZ
Basic health care includes safe, legal abortion. The Texas abortion ban is an unconstitutional attack on reproductive rights—an attack happening all across America. Let’s be very clear: We’re going to fight this ban and defend #RoeVWade.https://t.co/DVZazBPlFg
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) September 1, 2021
NPR acknowledged there are currently several court challenges to the bill. Protests and demonstrations are also being organized by abortion rights groups.
