The United States Supreme Court has revoked the federal right to abortion. Whether American women can have abortions depends on the situation they live in.
With the ruling of the United States Supreme Court, each state can now decide for itself whether to allow abortion. About 20 states are considering banning abortion.
This mainly concerns states where Republicans are in power. In the states of Missouri and Louisiana, abortion became illegal shortly after the decision.
In some states, abortion may be further restricted. Ways to restrict abortion include shortening the duration of abortions and reducing the number of abortion clinics in a state.
Abortion is expected to remain possible in about half of Democrat-controlled states.
Roe v. Wade decision quashed
In 1973, the right to abortion was enshrined in the US Constitution in Roe v. Waden. The Supreme Court of the United States has made a special decision in this case. He declared “unconstitutional” laws in US states that made abortion difficult or even banned.
The Supreme Court, today made up mostly of Republican judges, has now overturned that decision.
A resolution of a state law in Mississippi (banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy) was confirmed by three votes to six. The Supreme Court’s vote to overturn the 1973 decision resulted in five votes in favor and four against.
Democratic judges regret decision
Conservative judge Samuel Alito said the court’s decision was based on the fact that the right to abortion is not enshrined in the US Constitution. “The power to regulate abortion rests with politicians, not courts,” Alito said.
The three judges of the court, appointed by the Democrats, said in a joint statement that they disagree with the decision. “Whatever the scope of future legislation, one outcome of today’s decision is certain: the restriction of women’s rights and their status as free and equal citizens,” they write.
The three Democratic judges who voted against said: “This court is saddening, but even more so for the millions of American women who have lost their basic constitutional protections today. We disagree,” he said.
Biden called it a ‘tragic mistake’
US President Joe Biden describes the country’s abolition of abortion rights as a “tragic mistake”. Biden argues that “women’s health and lives are at risk” because states can now decide for themselves whether to allow abortion and what rules to add.
The president said women living in states where abortion will soon be banned can travel to other states where abortion is legal.
Source: NU
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.