Alabama’s new abortion laws may be the start of overturning Roe v. Wade.
The state is the latest to pass restrictive abortion laws, and currently the strictest of the batch. These new laws will outlaw abortion in every stage of pregnancy, even in the first trimester. On top of that, it outlaws the exceptions for pregnancy from rape and only gives permission when the mother’s health is in serious danger. There have been no guidelines released outlining how severe their condition must be.
This law does not attack citizens, but doctors, and, if passed, could sentence doctors who perform abortions to jail for up to 99 years. This would eliminate any chance of any woman being able to obtain an abortion.
Since its passing in the legislative assembly, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) has signed the bill, passing it into action. With her approval, Ivey now is capable of sending this bill toward the Supreme Court, challenging the 40 years strong Roe v. Wade case. This new bill, among the many released by states in recent years, will pose a large challenge against the long-standing radical bill that has protected women’s rights to obtain an abortion. Other states that have chosen to enforce abortion bills include Mississippi, Kentucky, Ohio and a long list of states have now started to consider the “heartbeat abortions”.
Today, I signed into law the Alabama Human Life Protection Act. To the bill’s many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians’ deeply held belief that every life is precious & that every life is a sacred gift from God. https://t.co/DwKJyAjSs8 pic.twitter.com/PIUQip6nmw
— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) May 15, 2019
However, while other states have implemented strict bills as well, Alabama’s differs because not only does it ban abortions right after the emergence of a heartbeat, but it also completely bans abortions even before the heartbeat is discovered. However, one of the biggest issues people have with this new bill would be the limitation on rape cases. The new bill fully eliminates rape as an excuse for abortion. One of the biggest cases that have been cited multiple times during this limitation has been the case of an 11-year-old girl living in Ohio. When the bill was released, the rape victim was unable to receive an abortion. Her rapist, a 26-year-old man, would get away free, while the girl would be burdened by the unintentional life. Pro-choice advocates have continually cited this case, using it as an example of how the new strict pro-life systems could falter.
Multiple political figures have commented, on both sides of the issue, including prominent figures such as President Trump, Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie Sanders.
Trump said:
“Together, we are building a culture that cherishes the dignity and worth of human life, Every child, born and unborn, is a sacred gift from God.”
This is far from over. We will fight this, and we will win. #StopTheBans https://t.co/0CPC9StDeO
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) May 16, 2019
The Alabama Senate voted to outlaw nearly all abortions. These hypocrites decry "big government," yet they want to control every aspect of women's bodies, private decisions, and futures.
Our job is to fight at every step to protect reproductive rights.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) May 15, 2019
Other Democrats have also cited that the people responsible for passing the abortion bill in Alabama today are not representative of a complete America.
However, the Alabama abortion bill has been passed and is on its way to challenging Roe v. Wade. The appointment of Brett Kavanaugh locked in a conservative majority within the supreme court, and this new challenge may be enough to overturn the historic abortion case. Though Supreme Court judges have cited the adherence to the constitution alone, the judges have cited their willingness to overturn Roe. Trump also cited Kavanaugh’s appointment as a beneficial one against the case, and the foundation of Roe v. Wade is now starting to wobble.
The courts of law have grown less strict over the enforcement of Roe v. Wade, establishing an idea that this case might finally turn. Several states have less than five clinics still open, and many have established restrictive laws.
The enforcement of Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, coupled with the new, extremely strong batch of challenges against Roe v. Wade, may truly be enough to completely overturn the case that once powerful case.
However, John Roberts, chief justice of the Supreme Court, remains hesitant to fully overturn the historic case of Roe v. Wade, meaning that until the challenge is too strong, there could be a good chance that Roe v. Wade is currently here to stay. Alabama’s new law is extremely important in fueling that challenge, and to many, it is clear that the goal is to re-outlaw abortions in America, once and for all.
Alabama’s newest law is the most radical of the anti-abortion laws, and the stepping stone into trying to overturn one of the most historic cases in American history. As it joins forces with bills from several other states, this new bill may be one of the most powerful in swinging abortion away from the way we know it.
Featured Image Via National Compass
