To stop the state of Texas from enacting its discriminatory abortion law, the Justice Department has filed a lawsuit.
At a press conference on Thursday (Sept. 9), Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the lawsuit. According to the long-standing precedents set by the Supreme Court, that act is unconstitutional. “In Planned Parenthood vs Casey, the court stated that states cannot prohibit women from terminating their pregnancy before viability regardless of exceptions for particular circumstances.”
Garland charged Texas Republicans with enacting a “statutory scheme” through the Texas Constitution to invalidate the United States Constitution.
In contrast to the standard in Texas and elsewhere, the state’s executive branch is not responsible for enforcement of the law. “Instead, the snatcher deputizes all individuals, without concern for individual connections or injuries, to serve as bounty hunters authorized to recover at least $10,000 from every person who facilitates the exercise of women’s constitutional rights.”
According to the DOJ, a court order preventing the enforceability of the law is part of its lawsuit.
This bill became effective earlier this month and restricts women from getting abortions at the moment a fetal heartbeat is detected. This occurs around six weeks after conception. The laws do not make any exceptions for women who may have become pregnant through rape or incest. “Medical emergencies” are however allowed to be exempt from the law.
The six-week deadline for suing abortion providers and those who help women obtain the procedure has been lifted. Those who pursue civil suits may be awarded up to $10,000.
In cases where they can be sued under the abortion law, Lyft and Uber offer to cover their drivers’ legal fees. Match and Bumble, dating apps based in Texas, have both committed to supporting women who want to end their pregnancy.
This article was penned by Jonathan P. Wright. Jonathan is a freelance writer for multiple mainstream publications and CVO of RADIOPUSHERS. You can read more of his work by clicking here.
