Supreme Court Decision Expected Soon in Federal Abortion Ban Challenges
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon issue a decision in two legal challenges to a federal ban on abortion. The Federal Abortion Ban was signed into law by President Bush in 2003. This dangerous and extreme measure prohibits abortions as early as 13 weeks in pregnancy, abortions that doctors say are safe and among the best to protect women’s health.
The ban was immediately challenged in three federal courts and was struck down in every court as a danger to women’s health. On November 8, 2006, the Supreme Court heard arguments in two of these cases, Gonzales v. Carhart and Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood Federation of America. A third challenge to the federal abortion ban, NAF v. Gonzales, was brought by NAF and seven individual physicians. That case is now on hold, pending a Supreme Court decision in the other two cases.
Abortion bans jeopardize women’s health. The National Abortion Federation is closely monitoring these cases, and we will alert you when the Supreme Court decision is issued in these cases.