Missouri and Nebraska File Late-Term Abortion Bans, Prompting Appeal to Supreme Court

Legal Challenges Expected as States Test Limits of Roe v. Wade

The states of Missouri and Nebraska have recently enacted legislation that would ban abortions after 22 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, respectively. These laws are seen as direct challenges to the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade, which established the constitutional right to abortion in 1973.

Missouri's Law

Missouri's law, known as the "Missouri Stands for the Unborn Act," prohibits abortions after 22 weeks of gestation, except in cases where the mother's life is in danger or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. The law also includes a provision that would require women seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound at least 72 hours before the procedure.

Nebraska's Law

Nebraska's law, known as the "Heartbeat Act," is even more restrictive than Missouri's law. It bans abortions after 20 weeks of gestation, with no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The law also defines "personhood" as beginning at the moment of conception, which could have far-reaching implications for other areas of law such as fertility treatment and contraception.

Legal Challenges

Both the Missouri and Nebraska laws are expected to face legal challenges from abortion rights advocates. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already filed a lawsuit challenging the Missouri law, arguing that it is unconstitutional and violates the rights of women to make decisions about their own bodies.

Supreme Court Appeal

If the lower courts uphold the Missouri and Nebraska laws, the cases could eventually make their way to the Supreme Court. The Court's current conservative majority has raised concerns among abortion rights advocates, who fear that it could overturn or weaken Roe v. Wade.

Implications for Abortion Rights

The passage of these new laws and the potential for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade have significant implications for abortion rights in the United States. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, it would give states the authority to ban abortion or impose severe restrictions on the procedure. This could have a devastating impact on women's access to reproductive healthcare and their ability to make decisions about their own bodies.