December 15, 2021


With so much at stake for women and for equality, Ms . will be reporting on policy initiatives and progress within Congress and the Biden-Harris administration—as well as tracking the backlash to equality. Every Wednesday, we will keep you updated, informed and ready to push forward!


Supreme Court Refuses to Block Texas Abortion Ban—Leaving Only Slow, Arduous and Uncertain Pathways to Ending the Ban [[link removed]]

BY CARRIE N. BAKER | On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block a clearly-unconstitutional abortion ban in Texas, leaving in place S.B. 8, which bans most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy—before many women even know they are pregnant. The Court’s ruling substantially narrows options to challenge the law in federal court, and there is no fast option for a Texas Supreme Court ruling in state court, say legal experts.

“It’s stunning that the Supreme Court has essentially said that federal courts cannot stop this bounty-hunter scheme enacted to blatantly deny Texans their constitutional right to abortion,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which represents abortion providers in one of the cases before the Court. “The Court has abandoned its duty to ensure that states do not defy its decisions. For 100 days now, this six-week ban has been in effect, and today’s ruling means there is no end in sight. Pregnant people will continue to live in a state of panic and uncertainty.”

The case out of Texas, Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson , was brought by abortion providers. Eight of the nine justices—excluding Justice Clarence Thomas—agreed that abortion providers could sue, but the justices were split when it came to deciding against whom specific lawsuits could be levied. A 5-4 majority of the Court dismissed the most significant part of the case, ruling that they could not bring suit against state judges and clerks or the state attorney general. The Court also ruled that a narrow portion of the case may proceed against the Texas Medical Board and other licensing authorities, but this would not prevent people from filing bounty-hunter lawsuits against anyone who helps someone obtain an abortion.

At issue in the cases was whether federal courts could rule on the constitutionality of the law before enforcement, or if abortion providers would have to violate the law and then defend themselves by arguing that the law was unconstitutional, which would subject providers to burdensome and expensive litigation and take a long time.

( To read more, click here. [[link removed]] )


Read More

Fetal Rights or Women’s Rights? [[link removed]]

Overturning Roe Will Threaten the Lives of Those Who Depend on Abortion Care the Most: People of Color [[link removed]]

Civil Rights Groups Urge Senate to Delay Recess Until Voting Rights Legislation Is Passed [[link removed]]

N.Y. Lawmakers and Activists Speak Out for Abortion Rights and Reproductive Justice: “If We Cannot Control Our Own Bodies, There Is No Democracy” [[link removed]]

“Any Day They Could Deport Me”: Immigrant Children in Legal Purgatory [[link removed]]

The U.S. Has a Moral Obligation Toward Afghan Women [[link removed]]

What we're reading
We know it's hard to keep up with everything going on in the world right now. That's why going forward, we'll provide a weekly roundup of the stories we think are important that Ms. may not have covered. Here's what we're reading this week:
"The supreme court’s abortion ruling is even more unsettling than it may seem” — The Guardian [[link removed]]
"Barrett is wrong: Adoption doesn’t ‘take care of’ the burden of motherhood” — The Washington Post [[link removed]]
"Yes, abortion is your business's business” — CNN [[link removed]]
"Nassar Abuse Survivors Reach a $380 Million Settlement” — The New York Times [[link removed]]

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Tune in for a new episode of Ms. magazine's podcast, On the Issues with Michele Goodwin on Apple Podcasts [[link removed]] + Spotify [[link removed]] .
As the December oral arguments date for Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case fast approaches, all eyes are on the Supreme Court. But we’re wondering — what’s happening at the on the ground, at clinics that provide abortions and reproductive health services where persistent, even daily violence against patients and providers goes overlooked and under-addressed?
We hope you'll listen, subscribe, rate and review today!



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