The Supreme Court today agreed to hear a Mississippi case that is a challenge to Roe vs. Wade, the historic Court decision in 1973 that legalized abortion.
The case, Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, will be heard in the session that starts in October, and is a challenge to Mississippi’s ban on elective abortions when the fetus is 15 weeks old. A decision is not expected until next year.
The abortion case comes as the Supreme Court is now more conservative, with the appointment of Amy Coney Barrett making the 6-3 mix of justices less hostile to the unborn.
The law passed by the Mississippi Legislature bans abortion if the unborn’s gestational age is determined to be more than 15 weeks, with exceptions for medical emergencies or severe fetal abnormalities that would indicate the baby would not survive.
Mississippi’s Attorney General Lynn Fitch said in a statement, “The Mississippi Legislature enacted this law consistent with the will of its constituents to promote women’s health and preserve the dignity and sanctity of life. I remain committed to advocating for women and defending Mississippi’s legal right to protect the unborn.”
The last time the high court faced an abortion question was before Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died, when the court struck down Louisiana’s abortion restrictions. The vote was 5-4, with Chief Justice John Roberts siding with the pro-choice members, Ginsberg, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan.
