Supreme Court sets abortion showdown for election year

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments about a Louisiana abortion restriction on March 4, 2020, setting up a controversial decision on the issue during the election year.

The case, June Medical Services v. Gee, reexamines a ruling the Supreme Court issued in 2016 when it overturned a Texas law that required doctors who provide abortions to have admitting privileges to local hospitals. Despite the precedent set by the justices, Louisiana passed a similar law that was then upheld by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which helped to necessitate the Supreme Court taking it up again.