The 2022 Supreme Court Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognized women's constitutional right to abortion - a decision that will dramatically change life for millions of American women and exacerbate growing tensions in a deeply polarized country. This ruling restored the ability of states to ban abortion. Twenty-six states are either certain or considered likely to now ban abortion. Thirteen states have already enacted so-called trigger laws that ban abortion with Roe overturned. Since Dobbs, many states have enacted total abortion bans with no exceptions for rape, incest, the term of pregnancy, or the health of the mother.

Pro-life advocates want abortions outlawed because Row vs. Wade did not take into account the welfare of the unborn. They claim life begins at conception and aborting a fetus is comparable to murdering a person. Pro-choice advocates claim life does not begin until very late in gestation, or even until birth. They do not believe abortion takes the life of a person. They say only a woman knows if she is a ready to become a parent and that abortion helps ensure the birth of children who are wanted. Pro-life and pro-choice advocates also disagree as to whether a woman's right to make this decision is protected by our Constitution.

The main reasons women give for having an abortion include their inability to afford a child, interference with school or work, health problems, family planning issues, and pregnancies which were the result of rape or incest. Advocates say that for women to regain control over their lives and bodies, we need to codify a woman’s right to choose into federal law.

Pending Legislation: H.R.12 - Women’s Health Protection Act of 2023
Sponsor: Rep. Judy Chu (CA)
Status: House Subcommittee on Health (Energy and Commerce)
Chairperson: Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY)