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News This Week: 9/19 - 9/25

This morning, the U.S. House of Representatives is debating and preparing to vote on the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA).

• This is the first time ever that Congress will vote on legislation specifically designed to protect the right to abortion access nationwide.
•  If passed, this bill would protect against the hundreds of abortion bans and restrictions states have passed, including Texas’s new extreme ban on abortion (S.B. 8).
• Debate began this morning at around 9:15 am ET. A vote is expected around 10:15 am ET.

On Monday, more than 50 friend-of-the-court (amicus) briefs were filed in support of the last abortion clinic in Mississippi in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. 

• Briefs were submitted by a wide range of voices, among them: 500 athletes including professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe; 6,600 people who have had abortions; the American Medical Association; reproductive justice scholars and organizations; and many more.
• The Court also announced it will hear oral arguments in the case Dec. 1.  

On Thursday, the Center once again asked SCOTUS to intervene in their case against Texas’ abortion ban.

• In an attempt to expedite their case, plaintiffs are now asking SCOTUS to hear the defendants’ motions to dismiss the case, instead of waiting for a ruling on the motion from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Plaintiffs are not asking the Court to rule on the constitutionality of the law. This is an attempt to expedite the case so the district court can continue with proceedings to block the law. 

On Wednesday night, a district court heard oral arguments in the Center’s case challenging a new Arizona abortion ban.

• If it takes effect as scheduled on Sept. 29, the law will ban abortion based on a person’s reason for seeking it, such as a fetal condition or diagnosis. It would also grant “personhood” to fetuses under Arizona law. 
• The Center and partners have requested the court block the law before it can take effect while litigation continues. 

Coming Up

Federal appeals court to hear arguments in GA abortion ban case (TODAY)

• The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments in the case challenging Georgia’s six-week ban on abortion, passed in 2019.
• Hearing began at 9am ET and is being live-streamed here.

District court to hear DOJ case against Texas Ban (Oct. 1)

• A federal district court will hear oral arguments in a preliminary injunction hearing after the Department of Justice asked the court to temporarily block the extreme abortion ban while litigation continues.
• For more than three weeks now, most Texans have been unable to get abortion care in their state. The preliminary injunction hearing will take place by video conference Oct 1 at 10am ET. 

Did You Know?