The White House
Opponents of abortion have had reason for optimism this year. With Republicans in control of both chambers of Congress and a president who’s embraced their cause, access to the procedure has appeared in greater jeopardy than it has in years.
Abortion opponents were dealt a setback last week when Senate Republicans failed to approve a bill to roll back the Affordable Care Act. All the versions up for a vote would have cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood for one year, a long-sought goal.
Mallory Quigley, spokeswoman for the anti-abortion Susan B. Anthony List, said the votes will be a major disappointment to the “pro-life grassroots” who knocked on doors, made phone calls and rallied to get like-minded lawmakers elected. But she added, “I think what is important to note is that the pro-life elements were not the cause of failure for the bill.”
“This was an area of unity for Republicans,” she said. “So I do think that there are going to be more wins in the future.”
Abortion foes aren’t waiting on the federal government to act, however. Conservative state lawmakers have passed a rash of restrictive laws in battlegrounds such as Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri and Texas.
Proponents of reproductive rights are fighting back and have persuaded federal courts to block some measures that could place an “undue burden” on a woman’s ability to obtain a legal abortion.
Here’s a recap of what’s been happening in the abortion war at the White House, in Congress and around the country:
President Donald Trump once described himself as “very pro-choice,” despite hating abortion. But his actions since taking office have revived hope among anti-abortion activists for changes that seemed impossible under the Obama administration.
One of Trump’s first official acts was to reinstate and expand a ban on funding for international organizations that provide abortions or related counseling. Trump’s version of the policy, first introduced under the Reagan administration, applies not only to the roughly $600 million that the United States provides annually for family planning services but to almost all global health assistance — about $8.8 billion worth.
Abortion foes have also seen champions of their cause ascend to top positions in the Trump administration, including Vice President Mike Pence, Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and presidential adviser Kellyanne Conway.
Trump has also promised to appoint U.S. Supreme Court justices who would overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion across the country. The selection of Judge Neil Gorsuch did not give conservative justices the majority they would need to do that, but any future vacancies could change the composition of the court. advocate rights.
In April, Trump signed a law reversing a regulation finalized in the last days of the Obama administration that prevented states from withholding federal Title X grants for family planning services from groups that also provide abortions.
The Republican plans to replace the ACA would also have prevented Planned Parenthood from receiving reimbursements from Medicaid for one year, even though it is already illegal to use federal money for abortion services.
The two programs account for the majority of the funds that Planned Parenthood receives from government sources. Such cuts could force the closure of health care centers that provide contraception, cancer screenings and other services to uninsured patients, the group says. for reproductive