House Speaker Paul Ryan make a surprise appearance in front the Supreme Court to speak about abortion, as the court was hearing the biggest abortion case in nearly a decade directly behind him.
Ryan was drowned out by pro-choice activists chanting “Stop the sham,” but the Wisconsin congressman spoke in favor about what he called a “common-sense law” that some say restrict abortion rights in Texas.
“We are the pro-life generation and we are here to stand for life,” he said.
Crowd goes wild for @SpeakerRyan, says common sense law protecting women’s safety should be upheld.#protectthemboth pic.twitter.com/iegWAbezWW
— Kerri Kupec (@Kerri_Kupec) March 2, 2016
The case being heard by the Supreme Court, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, will decide if Texas is constitutionally allowed to impose tougher facility and hospital admission requirements on abortion providers, which supporters say will make abortions safer for women. Opponents of the law say the 2013 law goes too far and effectively prevents abortions in the state.
Since the new measures were passed, about half the state’s 41 abortion clinics have shuttered.
