House passes bill to guarantee access to abortion in response to Texas law

The House passed a law on Friday to guarantee access to abortion nationwide after the Supreme Court earlier this month refused to block a Texas law that bans the procedure in almost all cases.

The bill passed along party lines, 218-211, with only one conservative Democrat, Representative Henry Cuellar (Texas), voting against. He is now heading to the Senate, where he is likely to stall given alleged GOP obstruction if he were to be put to a vote.

Although the abortion measure is set to become the last Democratic priority added to the accumulation of bills unable to pass despite the party’s wiped out Senate majority and presidential control, House Democrats have nonetheless wanted to act in the face of the Supreme Court’s decision. .

“With today’s historic vote, we are ensuring that access to abortion care is a right from Texas to California,” said the representative. Judy ChuJudy May ChuWhite House to welcome lawmakers as agenda negotiations reach critical milestone First Senator Officially Endorses Bass in LA Mayoral Candidate Bass Receives List Approval from EMILY PLUS (D-Calif.), The author of the legislation. “This bill respects our right and the freedom to make our own choices about our bodies, and it leaves those decisions to us and our doctors. It’s time to take control of our bodies out of the hands of far-right politicians.

Earlier this month, the conservative-dominated Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision dismissing an emergency request by abortion providers to suspend Texas law.

Texas law prohibits abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur as early as six weeks pregnant.

But many women don’t even necessarily know they’re pregnant before that date. Abortion groups estimate that 85 to 90 percent of women who request abortions in Texas are at least six weeks pregnant.

Texas law also contains a provision that allows private citizens to sue anyone who performs or assists with an abortion against the law, and provides at least $ 10,000 for each successful action.

Republicans argued that abortion should be banned on moral grounds.

“Abortion for any reason, at any stage of pregnancy, up to birth is not the will of the American people,” said the representative. Cathy McMorris RodgersCathy McMorris Rodgers Washington Redistribution Panel Reaches Late Deal on New Lines McMorris Rodgers Concerned Broadband Funding Missing Target Without New Cards The Hill’s Morning Report – Featured By Facebook – Budget Negotiators: 72+ Hours (Wash.), The top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

McMorris Rodgers admitted that she had never had an abortion, but “thought in my youth about what I would do if I found myself pregnant and alone”.

“It would have been a desperate situation. I can imagine that abortion seems like an easy solution. It breaks my heart, however, to think that anyone would see abortion as their only option or the best option, ”said McMorris Rodgers.

Even if the Senate filibustering requiring at least 60 votes was not an obstacle, it is not clear whether Democrats would have the votes to pass the legislation in the upper house. The accompanying Senate bill has the backing of 48 Democrats, but two have not co-sponsored it: Sens. Bob caseyRobert (Bob) Patrick Casey Senators Urge Federal Inquiry into Liberty University’s Handling of Sexual Assault Complaints Critical Biden Agenda Talks Enter Home Stretch Senate Democrats Call For Diversity among the new Presidents of the Federal Reserve PLUS (Pa.) And Joe manchinJoe Manchin Democrats advance as Manchin yo-yos Five takeaways: House passes Biden Overnight Energy & Environment employee benefits bill – House passes giant climate and social policy bill MORE (W.Va.).

The fight against abortion is expected to appear before the Supreme Court again in the coming months.

The Supreme Court announced earlier this week that it would hear arguments in December over a Mississippi restriction banning most abortions after 15 weeks.

This will pit another state restriction on abortion against the landmark Roe v. Wade of 1973, which prohibits states from banning abortion before a fetus reaches the point of viability. This point is usually around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

In what could be another test for Texas law, two plaintiffs – both barred from the bar – sued earlier this week against a San Antonio doctor who wrote publicly about the abortion of a woman whose pregnancy exceeded the new state limit.

The Justice Department also sued Texas over its abortion law.

“This kind of ploy to overturn the Constitution of the United States is a project that all Americans, regardless of their politics or party, should fear,” said the attorney general. Merrick garlandMerrick GarlandDOJ donates 9 million euros to police services to hire 1,000 new officers said announcing the trial.

Biden administration has supported House abortion rights legislation and “looks forward to working with Congress” to ensure bill codifies access to abortion care .

“Following the unprecedented attack in Texas, it has never been more important to codify this constitutional right and to strengthen access to health care for all women, regardless of their place of residence,” reads in an administrative policy statement released earlier this week.