In a 5-3 decision for Whole Woman’s Health vs. Hellerstedt, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a series of Texas abortion safety laws known collectively as HB2.
The decision, written by Justice Stephen G. Breyer, noted that the restrictions “provide few if any health benefits for women, pose a substantial obstacle to women seeking abortions and constitutes a, ‘undue burden’ on their constitutional right to do so.” The concept of “undue burden” comes from and upholds the 1992 Supreme Court Case, Planned Parenthood v. Casey.
Abortion advocates celebrated the decision, including Hillary Clinton who found a way to tie in the upcoming presidential election.
SCOTUS’s decision is a victory for women in Texas and across America. Safe abortion should be a right—not just on paper, but in reality. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 27, 2016
This fight isn’t over: The next president has to protect women’s health. Women won’t be “punished” for exercising their basic rights. -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 27, 2016
The pro-life movement quickly decried the result. Students for Life of America framed it as “Access trumps safety” and said in a statement:
Students for Life of America rallied at the Supreme Court ahead of the decision and during oral arguments in March to represent a millennial pro-life presence. The group vows to keep fighting for their cause.
Today 5 Supreme Court Justices chose access over safety, allowing the Kermit Gosnell’s to stay in business. pic.twitter.com/J5LDGRVx0Q
— Students for Life (@Students4LifeHQ) June 27, 2016
