John, it’s been over 7 months since Texas’ SB 8 abortion ban went into effect.
In that time, 13 states have introduced their own copycat version of Texas’ cruel bill – with 8 more states signaling interest in doing the same. We’re going to explain exactly what these bills would mean for pregnant people across the country, but if you’re already onboard to help us fight back:
This message is a little long, but we believe it’s important to lay out exactly what each bill would mean for people – not just in these states, but across the country.
Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma*, South Dakota, and Wisconsin:
In these states, their proposed bills would ban abortion after 6 weeks, before most people even know they’re pregnant. In Idaho, family members of the pregnant person would also be allowed to sue abortion providers.
*Republicans in Oklahoma are so hellbent on banning abortion, they have another pending bill that would only allow abortion if the pregnant person’s life's at stake. 😡
Tennessee:
A proposed amendment to HB 2779 would ban abortions, except in cases to prevent the death or "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" of the pregnant person. This is considered a near-total abortion ban.
Arkansas and Ohio:
In these states, their proposed bills would ban abortion once an egg has been fertilized – TWO weeks before a missed period. This is considered a total abortion ban.
These bans are devastating for the women, people of color, and working families in these states who will bear the brunt of these restrictions – but they will also have a significant impact on neighboring states. As clinics take on more and more out-of-state patients, their local community members have to seek care elsewhere: this is a disaster already in the making.
The future of abortion access in our country is under immediate threat – and it’s up to us to mobilize and push back against attacks that threaten our bodily autonomy and right to create families when and how we choose. But without a strong budget, it is incredibly difficult to run a large scale organizing program. That’s where our Reproductive Justice Defense Fund comes in.
Together,
Women’s March