This morning, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to allow Texas abortion providers to continue their legal challenge against Senate Bill 8 (SB 8) but did not grant relief from the law itself. Let us be clear, today’s decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson isn’t a win, and our pathway forward will be tough, but nevertheless we will persist.
Today is day 101 of Texans being denied their basic right to essential abortion care. Texans deserve better than this. This ban will have lasting effects on Texas communities for decades to come. We know this decision isn’t the end and our fight against this law is not over. Justice Sotomayor said it best: “The court should have put an end to this madness months ago before SB 8 went into effect. It failed to do so then, and it fails again today.”
Now, our fight against this law goes on. We fight alongside you, now and always, to liberate abortion from these restrictions and work for a day when all people can access the reproductive care they need in their own community. Stand with us.
With this Supreme Court ruling, we will go back to the U.S. District Court for a full hearing on the constitutionality of SB 8, which was previously blocked by the Fifth Circuit. This process will be trying, but we are up for the challenge. We are eager for the four Whole Woman’s Health clinics in Texas to resume full services to 18 weeks and for our staff to no longer deny folks the care we are known for – compassionate, holistic, professional, and personalized.
We have a long road ahead of us. Senate Bill 4 went into effect just 8 days ago in Texas, putting onerous restrictions on medication abortion care. And just 10 days ago, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments for the most serious challenge to Roe v. Wade in decades in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case. These times are sobering.
The lack of urgency by the Supreme Court in their decision for WWH v. Jackson sent a strong, clear message: abortion rights are not guaranteed. The threats against our reproductive freedoms are mounting, and we need your support to continue to fight back.
