WASHINGTON–The Supreme Court is hearing arguments about Mississippi’s abortion law, which bans abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy. The court could roll back limits on abortion laws cemented by the reproductive rights case Roe v. Wade. It’s also possible that Roe v. Wade could be overturned altogether.
In a news conference on Tuesday, Indiana Republican Senator Todd Young said the United States of America is an “outlier when it comes to how we protect babies.”
“We are only one of seven countries around the world, one of seven countries, that allows abortion to take place past the point at which a baby can feel pain in the womb. We join the likes of the Chinese Communist Party and the dictator in North Korea in our policies,” said Young.
Young claims 80% of Americans oppose abortions beyond the point of which a child can feel pain. Activists on both sides of the abortion debate are rallying Wednesday in Jackson and Washington, D.C
“So, I look forward to welcoming other Hoosiers into this city (Washington, DC) as they descend on the nation’s capital, make their voices heard, and ensure that the voices of those who can’t speak for themselves will ultimately be heard as well,” said Young.
The case concerns a Mississippi abortion law passed in 2018 that bars abortions after 15 weeks with limited exceptions. The law was blocked by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Under existing Supreme Court precedent, states may not ban abortions that occur prior to fetal viability, generally around 22 weeks or later.
The state of Mississippi is asking the justices to reexamine that viability standard. The state argued that the viability rule prevented states from adequately defending maternal health and potential life. Attorneys for Jackson Women’s Health Organization say all of the arguments Mississippi will make about abortions has already been addressed by the court in recent years.
Former Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is praying the U.S. Supreme Court soon will overturn the Roe v. Wade ruling.
A decision on the case is expected to happen by June 2022.
You can view Young’s comments here.
