Abortion Rights: Supreme Court To Hear Oral Arguments In Controversial Texas Law

The Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments challenging the restrictive Texas law S.B. 8, which bans abortion after six weeks of pregnancy when a fetal heartbeat can be detected.

On Monday, the court will hear arguments from the Department of Justice and abortion providers, accusing the Texas law of violating the legal precedent for abortion in cases like Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

The law bans abortion after six weeks and allows private citizens to sue anyone who aides someone with an abortion for at least $10,000.

People who could face lawsuits include ride-share drivers, who drop women off at abortion clinics and doctors who perform the procedure.

However, Texas has previously argued that the law is not enforced by the state, and it should not be tasked with defending it.

In a court briefing, the Justice Department wrote “other states are already regarding S.B. 8 as a model” and “if Texas is right, no decision of this Court is safe.”

Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed S.B. 8 into law in May, and it became effective in September.

Abortion-rights advocates believe the Supreme Court’s ruling will have an extensive impact on future cases.

“The outcome of this case will define the future of our constitutional democracy,” said Sam Spital, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund director of litigation.

“Absent the Supreme Court’s intervention, S.B. 8’s model for openly defying precedent set by the highest court in our land will metastasize — and not just with respect to abortion rights. Many of our constitutional rights will be in grave danger.”

Later in the week, the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in the New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen case, which centers on applicants who want to receive licenses to carry a concealed handgun in public.