This morning, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi held a press conference with several members of Pro-Choice House Caucus concerning the threats Judge Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court poses for reproductive rights. Feminist Majority joined several reproductive rights organizations to unite with members against Kavanaugh’s confirmation.
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Brett Kavanaugh Nominated to the Supreme Court
On Monday night, President Trump nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Kennedy on the United States Supreme Court. An extreme conservative, Kavanaugh would rank nearly the same as Justice Clarence Thomas on the ideological spectrum. Justice Kennedy announced two weeks ago that he will be retiring from the Supreme Court, allowing President Trump to have a second appointment.
Justice Kennedy’s Retirement Leaves Court’s Future Uncertain
Justice Kennedy announced last Wednesday that he will be retiring from the United States Supreme Court. His retirement will allow President Trump to have a second Supreme Court appointment.
Supreme Court Rules in Favor of Anti-Abortion Fake Clinics
This week, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court struck down a California law requiring that anti-abortion, fake health centers provide women with complete and accurate information about abortion.
Iowa Heartbeat Abortion Ban Temporarily Blocked
On June 1, Polk County District Court Judge Michael Huppert temporarily blocked Iowa’s fetal heartbeat ban, SF 359, from going into effect until the case can make its way through the appropriate legal channels.
Trump’s Anti-Abortion Domestic Gag Rule Strips Funding from Women’s Clinics
Under this new rule, any clinic that receives Title X funding for family planning and reproductive healthcare would be barred from providing any information, referrals or services for abortion.
Louisiana Set to Pass 15 Week Abortion Ban
Last week the Louisiana state House passed a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, challenging nearly half a century of legal precedent set in 1973’s Roe v. Wade. The bill has already been passed by the state Senate and now waits the Governor’s signature.
Kentucky Works to Outlaw Common & Safe Abortion Procedure
This week Kentucky lawmakers voted to outlaw a common and safe procedure known as dilation and evacuation that accounts for 95% of abortions performed after the first trimester, essentially banning all abortions after 11 weeks.
Judge Blocks Mississippi’s 15 Week Abortion Ban
On Tuesday a federal judge temporarily blocked a new Mississippi law banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, the most restrictive abortion law in the country.
Supreme Court Hears Case on Fake Reproductive Health Clinics
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court heard the first abortion-related case of the Trump Administration.
Trump Administration Collaborated with Hate Group to Target Planned Parenthood Says Whistleblower
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) colluded with the national hate group Alliance Defending Freedom to rescind Obama-era Medicaid funding protections for Planned Parenthood and other women’s health centers, according to a letter written by Representative Elijah E. Cummings, the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Activists Call for Resignation of Scott Lloyd, Office of Refugee Resettlement Director
Women’s rights activists are calling for the immediate resignation of Trump-appointed Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Director Scott Lloyd, who is abusing his power over pregnant teenagers in his custody by pursuing a policy that systematically denies them access to abortion.
Trump Administration to Protect Health Workers Denying Treatment on Moral Grounds
On Thursday, the Trump administration announced the creation of a new division at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that seeks to defend healthcare workers who choose to discriminate against patients who have had or who require certain medical procedures, such as abortions, due to moral or religious objections.
Commemorating the 45th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade
Today marks the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 ruling in which the Supreme Court stated that access to abortion is protected under the right to privacy, legalizing abortion across the United States. The right to privacy is protected by the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
Senate Confirms Amy Coney Barrett to 7th Circuit Court of Appeals
On Tuesday, Amy Coney Barrett was confirmed as a United States Circuit Judge for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. A law professor at the University of Notre Dame, Barrett has been widely opposed due to her past statements that judges’ Catholic beliefs should take precedent over the United States Constitution.
Whole Woman’s Health Alliance Announces the Opening of Two New Clinics
This week, the Whole Woman’s Health Alliance (WWHA) announced that they will be opening two new clinics, one in Charlottesville, Virginia and the other in South Bend, Indiana. While there was resistance from anti-abortion protesters, this announcement was met with resounding support from a number of women’s health advocates.
Trump Administration Blocking Unaccompanied Minors from Accessing Abortion
On Friday morning, a federal appeals court in Washington DC ordered the Trump administration to find a sponsor for a pregnant 17-year-old undocumented immigrant in federal custody so that she can access an abortion without government facilitation. For weeks, the Trump administration has been desperately trying to obstruct her judicially approved abortion.
Polish Police Raid Women’s Rights Organizations Following Protest on Abortion Rights
Just one day after abortion rights advocates gathered in Poland to oppose changes to the country’s laws, police raided the offices of at least two women’s rights organizations in four cities.
House Passes 20 Week Abortion Ban
On Tuesday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that criminalizes abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy in all 50 states. Senator Lindsey Graham, with the support of 45 other GOP Senators, has now introduced the bill in the Senate, where it will need 60 votes to pass.
Wins for Abortion Access in Indiana and Kentucky
Last week, two laws that made it more difficult to obtain an abortion in the states of Indiana and Kentucky were struck down in a win for abortion access in the United States.