Supreme Court silent as abortion ban takes effect

Crowds celebrate and wave flags while listening to the band music at the Salute to America event Thursday, July 4, 2019, at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. (Official White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian)

Sometimes it is what the Supreme Court does not say that makes a powerful statement.

In this case, the justices were silent on Wednesday as a Texas law banning abortions took effect.

The Daily Signal described the law as “highly disputed” and pointed out that the Supreme Court did not intervene in the statute that bans abortions after the unborn baby’s heartbeat can be detected, although the justices could intervene at just about any time.

A report from the pro-life Operation Rescue explained abortionists tried to block it but were unsuccessful.

“While about a dozen other states have passed similar Heartbeat Bills, the Texas version is the only one in the nation not enjoined by a court,” the report explained.

Also, it has a unique provision that “provides for private citizens to sue abortionists and anyone who ‘aids and abets’ the commission of an illegal abortion. If their suit is successful, they may collect a minimum of $10,000 and attorney fees. This allows abortionists to break the law to be held accountable even in areas of Texas where political forces would fail to enforce the law,” the report explained.

OR confirmed two Texas abortion industry players stopped scheduling abortions after six weeks.

And the Supreme Court already has accepted for review a case that should be heard this fall.

There, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a Mississippi law bans abortions after 15 weeks.

“I commend Texas for their efforts to protect babies in the womb and their mothers, and I pray that the new Heartbeat Law saves millions of lives into the future,” said Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue.

Eric Scheidler, chief of Pro-Life Action League, noted, “Today, the State of Texas is implementing a creative new policy that recognizes the child in the womb as a member of the human family and protects her from the violence of abortion. We encourage the other 49 states to catch up with Texas and continue this historic expansion of human rights.”.

Lila Rose, founder Live Action, explained, “Right now in the great state of Texas, every single child with a detectable heartbeat is legally protected from being killed by the violence of abortion. This is a historic step forward for basic human rights, but more progress must be made. I applaud the brave advocates and lawmakers in Texas for passing this innovative law designed to withstand the tidal wave of attacks from abortionists and their apologists. Citizens and lawmakers must be vigilant in their defense of this law because we know that the abortion industry is determined to profit from the deaths of as many children as they can.”

She added, “No matter what happens going forward, today is a day for celebration and a vital reprieve for the precious children scheduled for death behind the doors of a Texas abortion business. Dozens of life affirming pregnancy centers all around the state stand by with the resources and compassion to ensure every mother and father are equipped to care for their children and families. The pro-life movement will continue fighting until every single child is protected in law and supported to live out her full potential.”

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, called it “historic.”

“We’re excited to see the Heartbeat Act save lives starting today and stand with our allies on the front lines serving mothers and families. The American people are eager to humanize our extreme, outdated abortion laws. This law reflects the scientific reality that unborn children are human beings, with beating hearts by six weeks. We are grateful for Governor Abbott’s leadership, the courage of the Texas Legislature, and all our pro-life allies in statehouses across the nation who are continually fighting for the unborn and their mothers. With the Dobbs case on the horizon, we hope that the Court is finally ready to let this debate move forward democratically, restoring the right of states to protect our most vulnerable brothers and sisters.”

Just a day earlier, a judge granted a temporary restraining order preventing lawsuits against one lawyer who filed an action challenging the law.

According to the Daily Caller, University of Texas Law professor Steve Vladeck noted, “What ultimately happens to this law remains to be seen, but now through their inaction the justices have let the tightest abortion restriction since Roe v. Wade be enforced for at least some period of time.”

The law lets “any person” sue doctors, abortion clinics, or anyone who “knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of an abortion.”

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