Since the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, 14 states have criminalized abortion
(Image credit: Michael Nigro / Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
published
What happened
The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a push by anti-abortion groups to restrict access to the abortion medication mifepristone, ruling unanimously that plaintiffs lacked standing to bring the case.
Who said what
The anti-abortion doctors named as plaintiffs have "sincere legal, moral, ideological and policy objections" to the widely available drug, Justice Brett Kavanaugh wrote in the ruling, but their "desire to make a drug less available for others does not establish standing to sue." Thursday's ruling was the "first major abortion issue to come before the court since its 2022 decision overturning Roe v. Wade," The Wall Street Journal said. Rejecting themifepristone challenge on procedural grounds allowed the justices to find "common ground."
Thursday's ruling is "not a 'win' for abortion," Nancy Northup at the Center for Reproductive Rights said in a statement. It simply "maintains the status quo, which is a dire public health crisis in which 14 states have criminalized abortion." This was a "sad day for all who value women's health and unborn children's lives," Katie Daniel at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America said to the BBC. But "the fight to stop dangerous mail-order abortion drugs is not over."
What next?
Kavanaugh's ruling held "potentially useful hints for abortion opponents, laying out a path" for similar challenges in the future, Politico said. Anti-abortion leaders anticipate better luck advancing the merits of their case in "litigation Idaho, Kansas and Missouri are pursuing before the same Trump-appointed judge" whose 2023 ruling "would have banned abortion pills nationwide."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Explore More
Speed ReadAbortion LawAbortionSupreme Court
To continue reading this article...
Create a free account
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
register for free
Already have an account? Sign in
Subscribe to The Week
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Subscribe & Save
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Unlimited website access is included with Digital and Print + Digital subscriptions.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
Rafi Schwartz has worked as a politics writer at The Week since 2022, where he covers elections, Congress and the White House. He was previously a contributing writer with Mic focusing largely on politics, a senior writer with Splinter News, a staff writer for Fusion's news lab, and the managing editor of Heeb Magazine, a Jewish life and culture publication. Rafi's work has appeared in Rolling Stone, GOOD and The Forward, among others.
Today's political cartoons - June 14, 2024CartoonsFriday's cartoons - climate congestion, testing the waters, and moreBy The Week USPublished 14 June 24 Why is Britain so bad at tackling homelessness?Today's Big Question'Radical and ambitious' solutions needed to increase housebuilding, social housing and financial supportBy Sorcha Bradley, The Week UKPublished 14 June 24 'Putting teeth into beach safety'Today's NewspapersA roundup of the headlines from the US front pagesBy The Week StaffPublished 14 June 24
G7 summit opens with Russian cash for KyivSpeed ReadLeaders from the G7 group agreed to give Ukraine $50B backed by frozen Russian assetsBy Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 13 June 24 Top Sunak aide Craig Williams bet on general election dateSpeed ReadParliamentary private secretary to the PM apologises for £100 'flutter' as gambling watchdog inquiry gets underwayBy Arion McNicoll, The Week UKPublished 13 June 24 Haiti council appoints government to quell chaosSpeed ReadThe nation still grapples with violent gangs following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel MoïseBy Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 12 June 24 Hunter Biden found guilty on gun chargesSpeed ReadPresident Joe Biden's son was convicted for lying about his drug use to buy and illegally possess a firearmBy Rafi Schwartz, The Week USPublished 12 June 24 UN vote ups pressure on Israel, Hamas for Gaza dealSpeed ReadThe United Nations Security Council voted to endorse a U.S.-backed cease-fire deal for GazaBy Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 11 June 24 Trump scheduled for probation hearingSpeed ReadDonald Trump will do a virtual probation interview ahead of his sentencing on July 11By Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 10 June 24 Far right ekes gains in EU elections, rocks FranceSpeed ReadVoters mostly backed centrists in the European Parliament elections, but far-right parties made important gainsBy Peter Weber, The Week USPublished 10 June 24 Why Emmanuel Macron has called snap electionsSpeed ReadPresident surprises France with vote after Marine Le Pen's EU victoryBy Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UKPublished 10 June 24
