White House vows to wage war to protect Roe v Wade after major win in Texas: ‘The fight has only just begun’
A federal judge ordered Texas to suspend the most restrictive abortion law in US history
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The White House has said that “the fight has only just begun” after a federal judge temporarily blocked the most restrictive abortion law in US history on Wednesday, following a challenge from president Joe Biden’s administration.
The law which has been in effect since 1 September in Texas, has spurred protests across America with women taking to the streets demanding reproductive rights. The order by US district judge Robert Pitman is the first legal blow to the Texas law, known as Senate Bill 8 (S.B.8).
In its statement, the White House said: “S.B. 8 not only blatantly violates the right to safe and legal abortion established under Roe v. Wade, but it creates a scheme to allow private citizens to interfere with that right and to evade judicial review.”
“The fight has only just begun, both in Texas and in many states across this country where women’s rights are currently under attack,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
The law, signed by Republican governor Greg Abbott in May, prohibits abortions once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks, before some women even know they are pregnant.
“That’s why the President supports codifying Roe v Wade, why he has directed a whole-of-government response to S.B. 8, and why he will continue to stand side-by-side with women across the country to protect their constitutional rights,” Ms Psaki added.
In his 113-page opinion, Judge Pitman called the law an “offensive deprivation” of a constitutional right.
But even with the law on hold, abortion services in Texas may not instantly resume because doctors still fear that they could be sued without a more permanent legal decision, reported agencies.
The lawsuit was brought by the Biden administration, which has said the restrictions were enacted in defiance of the US Constitution.
(With additional reporting by agencies)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments