Supreme Court Rejects Request to Stay Texas Heartbeat Law

The Supreme Court recently ruled in defense of the Texas heartbeat law that bans abortions after cardiac activity is detected.

In a 5-4 decision this week, the Supreme Court declined to stay a Texas “heartbeat” law that bans most abortions after six weeks.

The law went into effect this week, and it bans abortions in most cases after cardiac activity is detected in the child. Abortion providers in the state requested a stay on the law, as it grants private citizens standing to file lawsuits against abortion providers who violate the law.

“Usually a lawsuit aiming to block such a law as unconstitutional names state officials as defendants,” The New York Times wrote. “Instead, the Texas law deputizes private citizens to sue anyone who performs an abortion or ‘aids and abets’ a procedure. Plaintiffs who have no connection to the patient or the clinic may sue and recover legal fees, as well as $10,000 if they win.”

The law also prevents state officials from enforcing it, which was set up purposely to make it harder to challenge in the courts.

The Supreme Court’s ruling is another major victory in the effort to end the brutal practice of abortion. We must continue fighting to enact laws like the one in Texas that will defend religious liberty and preserve the sanctity of life.