Camila Domonoske reports on what may be the most important news of the morning.
The Supreme Court has overturned a Texas law requiring clinics that provide abortions to have surgical facilities and doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The law was predicted to close many clinics and further reduce availability of abortion in Texas; the court has ruled the law violated the Constitution.
With a 5-3 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, the court reversed a decision by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which had upheld the law. Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas and Chief Justice John Roberts dissented, while Anthony Kennedy joined the liberal justices in the majority.
Read more on NPR.
In related coverage, Politico focuses on the likely consequences:
The ruling is likely to galvanize anti-abortion votes in the presidential race and highlight the political fight over who will be appointed to the vacant seat on the Supreme Court.
The Texas Tribune reports on their Attorney General Ken Paxton’s reaction:
In a statement, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the ruling “disappointing” and insisted the decision was passed “to improve patient safety and raise the standard of care for women at abortion facilities.”
Writing for a more liberal audience, the Los Angeles Times reports:
Abortion-rights advocates said the ruling sends a clear warning to states attempting to restrict abortion.
“Without question, today’s ruling is a game-changer in what has been an unrelenting assault on women’s rights across the country,’’ said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which pushed the case. “This tremendous victory renews the promise of Roe vs. Wade for the next generation. We will not stop fighting until access is restored for all women in the U.S.”
“HB 2 was an effort to improve minimum safety standards and ensure capable care for Texas women,” said Paxton, who was a state senator when HB 2 was passed. “It’s exceedingly unfortunate that the court has taken the ability to protect women’s health out of the hands of Texas citizens and their duly-elected representatives.”