Yesterday the Supreme Court ruled in favor of placing a temporary hold on Louisiana’s abortion law which requires abortion providers to have hospital privileges at a local hospital. In a tight ruling, 5-4, the Supreme Court set the block in place for a week. This is, however, only a small victory for abortion advocates as […]
Indiana Looks to Supreme Court to Implement Anti-abortion Law
The state of Indiana has requested the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court injunction that blocked a law requiring women receiving an abortion to also receive an ultrasound at least 18 hours prior to the procedure, which adds a waiting period and two different appointments to receive an abortion. The Planned Parenthood of Indiana […]
Fifth Circuit Upheld an Anti-Abortion Louisiana Law, Despite SCOTUS Precedent
The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, after the Fifth Circuit upheld the law despite Supreme Court precedent, to prevent an extremely restrictive anti-abortion Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges from going into effect on Feb. 4th; the law would leave only one abortion doctor […]
Uncategorized
Supreme Court Announces Trump Transgender Military Ban can Immediately take effect
The Supreme Court announced this morning that the Trump administrations’ ban on transgender military service can immediately take effect, impacting over 9,000 Service members, but the Supreme Court declined hear arguments regarding the ban’s constitutionality. Appeals to lower courts will continue but the Supreme Court issued a stay of lower courts’ injunctions which prevented the […]
Planned Parenthood Wins Out Over State Attempts to Strip Medicaid Funding
In a win for reproductive rights advocates, today the U.S. Supreme Court declined to consider a case between Planned Parenthood and the states of Louisiana and Kansas concerning respective state laws that sought to strip Planned Parenthood of Medicaid funding. This decision means that the appeals court rulings that blocked the respective laws from going into effect will remain in place and Medicaid patients will continue to be covered at Planned Parenthood clinics for non-abortion related procedures.
Kavanaugh’s First Abortion Case May be an Indiana Law that Mike Pence Signed
Recently, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill appealed to the Supreme Court to review a lawsuit against an Indiana anti-abortion law that restricts abortion access as well as enforces regulations on how to dispose fetal tissue. This could be the first case on abortion restrictions that the Supreme Court rules on since Brett Kavanaugh’s confirmation, and […]
Ethiopia Appoints Women’s Rights Champion to Head Supreme Court
On Thursday, Ethiopia’s parliament unanimously approved and appointed Meiza Ashenafi to head its Supreme Court. Meiza was nominated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who has taken numerous measures to increase women’s roles in Ethiopia. In response to Meiza’s appointment, Prime Minister Abiy’s Chief of Staff tweeted, “Ethiopia’s march towards gender parity in key leadership positions […]
DOJ Attacks Protections for Transgender Employees
This past Wednesday, The Department of Justice (DOJ) wrote in a brief to the Supreme Court that the 1964 Civil Rights Act federal workplace protections do not apply to transgender employees, arguing it is legal to discriminate based on gender identity. The DOJ submitted this brief as the Supreme Court decides if it will hear […]
Uncategorized
Brett Kavanaugh Confirmed to the Supreme Court Despite Sexual Assault Allegations
On Saturday, Brett Kavanaugh was quietly sworn in as the 114th justice of the United States Supreme Court after the Senate voted 50 to 48 to approve his confirmation. The only Senators to break from party lines were Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) and West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin (D). It was the narrowest voting margin for a Supreme Court confirmation since 1881.
Uncategorized
Protests against Kavanaugh Continue in the Wake of Sexual Assault Allegations
Capitol Police arrested fifty-six people yesterday on Capitol Hill during a protest against Supreme Court Nominee and alleged abuser, Brett Kavanaugh.
Kavanaugh Accused of Sexual Assault
California professor Dr. Christine Blasey Ford has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her when they were both in high school in the early 1980s.
Republicans are Playing Politics Kavanaugh’s White House Records
On Thursday morning, Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Committee leaked documents from Brett Kavanaugh’s time in the George W. Bush White House that had previously been marked as committee confidential, a designation meant to protect matters of national security.
Protesters Unite for Justice and Reject Kavanaugh
With 200 events all across the country, protesters gathered on Sunday for the single-day #UniteForJustice action, demanding Senators reject Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court.
Kavanaugh Hearings to Move Forward Without White House Records
Today the National Archives doubled down on their refusal to provide Senate Democrats with relevant records relating to Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s time in the George W. Bush White House, citing a policy that the Archives only responds to requests from committee chairs, positions currently held exclusively by Republicans.
Uncategorized
Protesters Arrested In Civil Disobedience Action Against Kavanaugh
Seventy four people were arrested in Washington, DC last week for civil disobedience while protesting the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court. The activists were led out of the Hart Senate Office Building with their fists in the air as they sang, “Hear the voices of the sons and daughters, protect our freedom now!”
Uncategorized
Activists Rally Against Kavanaugh’s Nomination
People across the country are rallying to oppose the nomination of Brett Kavanagh to the Supreme Court, fearful that his confirmation could be detrimental to the future of the Affordable Care Act, abortion rights, workers’ rights, and more.
Pro-Choice Caucus Rejects Kavanaugh, Fights to Save Roe
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.
Uncategorized
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.
Trump Administration Attacks Affirmative Action Admission Policies
The Trump administration will encourage schools to implement race-blind admissions policies, a reversal from an Obama-era guidance. Under the Obama Administration, the Education Department’s civil rights division issued seven guidance documents urging schools to consider race during admissions when attempting to diversify student bodies. The Justice Department plans to scrap these guidance efforts.
