Abortion legality debates continue nationwide

By WVUA 23 News Student Reporter Giselle Hood

Opposing rulings on abortion pills could send yet another debate over reproductive rights to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Before that happens, Alabama has its own proposed laws up before the state legislature.

Alabama Senate Bill 34 and Senate Bill 35 were introduced in March by state Sen. Vivian Figures. The bills call for a repeal of the Alabama Human Life Protection Act, which increased the penalty for performing abortion procedures in the state to a felony. SB35 would create protections for abortion in the case of rape or incest.

Another bill, House Bill 17 filed by state Rep. Chris England, would repeal Section 13A-13-7, Code of Alabama 1975, which allows for criminal penalties for anyone inducing or attempting an abortion, miscarriage or premature delivery.

Other states are also taking abortion issues to court, and a federal Texas judge is being met with opposition following his preliminary ruling to stop the FDA’s approval of the abortion pill Mifepristone.

“The president and I are going to stand with the women of America,” Vice President Kamala Harris said after the ruling. “And do everything we can to make sure women have the ability to make decisions about their healthcare.”

A federal Washington judge issued exactly the opposite, ordering the FDA to keep the pill available and more accessible.

“The House Republicans have the power of the purse,” said Texas Rep. Tony Gonzalez. “And if the administration wants to not, not lead this ruling, not live up to this ruling, then we’re going to have a problem. And it may come a point where House Republicans on the appropriation side have to defund FDA programs that don’t make sense.”

According to the Associated Press, it’s likely the case will go to the Supreme Court.

In the Alabama legislature, the Senate will reconvene April 11.