US Texas 'De Facto Abortion Ban' Controversy... Biden Calls It "Unconstitutional"

Texas, '6-Week Abortion Ban' Fallout... Progressive Camp Backlash
Federal Supreme Court Rejects Injunction to Halt Abortion Restriction Enforcement

On the 1st (local time), protests by citizens opposing the state government's enforcement of abortion restriction laws took place in Austin, Texas, USA. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A new abortion restriction law that effectively bans abortion in any case, including rape, came into effect on the 1st (local time) in the state of Texas, USA.

According to major US media outlets, the law, known as the "heartbeat bill," is based on moving the abortion ban period forward from the current 20 weeks to the time when the fetal heartbeat is detected.

Typically, a heartbeat can be detected at around six weeks of pregnancy.

By setting the ban period at a time when the pregnancy itself may not yet be recognized, the law aims to effectively prohibit abortion.

Under the new law, abortion is not permitted even in cases of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest.

In particular, the state government has stepped back from cracking down on illegal abortions and has entrusted 100% of the prosecution of abortion clinics and those involved in abortion to citizens.

Citizens who directly sue illegal abortion clinics will be awarded at least $10,000 (approximately 12 million KRW).

This has made it difficult for abortion rights supporters to file lawsuits to block the enforcement of the law.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Because the state government does not exercise enforcement or prosecution rights, lawsuits cannot be filed against the state government.

Even just driving a woman seeking an abortion to a clinic can result in facing a lawsuit.

Republican Governor Greg Abbott stated on Twitter, "From today, every unborn child with a heartbeat will be protected from abortion," adding, "Texas will continue to uphold the right to life."

Organizations advocating for abortion rights, such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Reproductive Rights, filed for an injunction with the US Supreme Court to block the enforcement of Texas' abortion restriction law, but it was dismissed by the Supreme Court on the same day.

On the 1st (local time), protests by citizens opposing the state government's enforcement of abortion restriction laws took place in Austin, Texas, USA. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Five of the nine Supreme Court justices voted to dismiss the injunction request.

The Supreme Court emphasized that this decision was not about the constitutionality of the Texas abortion restriction law and explained that other formal legal proceedings could proceed in Texas state courts.

US media reported that Texas' move is the strongest abortion restriction law to challenge the 1973 "Roe v. Wade" ruling that recognized abortion rights in the United States.

President Joe Biden stated on the day that Texas' law violates constitutional rights and vowed to protect abortion rights.

In a statement, President Biden pointed out, "This extreme Texas law presumptuously infringes on the constitutional rights established by the 'Roe v. Wade' ruling and allows lawsuits against those who are considered to have aided someone in obtaining an abortion."

In the 1973 ruling, the US Supreme Court decided that abortion is permissible before the fetus can survive outside the womb, roughly at 23 to 24 weeks of pregnancy, marking a landmark decision recognizing women's abortion rights.

President Biden emphasized, "Our administration will defend and protect the constitutional rights established nearly 50 years ago in the Roe v. Wade ruling."

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi criticized the Supreme Court for failing to make a decision before the law's enforcement, saying it "has brought disaster to women in Texas" and called the law "a full-scale attempt to erase the rights and protections established by the Roe v. Wade ruling."

The American Civil Liberties Union stated, "The impact of the law will be immediate and powerful," and vowed, "We will not stop fighting until unconstitutional abortion restrictions are blocked."

With the new law in effect, women seeking abortions in Texas are forced to travel to other states to receive the procedure.

On the 31st of last month, just before the new law took effect, many rushed to receive abortions until the last moment, with the last procedure ending at 11:56 PM, according to the Associated Press.

The abortion ban issue is currently a highly contentious issue between conservatives and progressives in the United States. The Democratic Party supports guaranteeing abortion as a right, while the Republican Party has argued for banning abortion.

Previously, at least 12 Republican-controlled state governments enacted laws restricting abortion from the early stages of pregnancy, but all have been blocked by courts and have not been enforced.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.