United States Supreme Court examines limitation on abortion rights

The United States Supreme Court has agreed to review the state of Mississippi’s anti-abortion law. The law prohibits abortion if the woman in question is more than 15 weeks pregnant.

The limit has been 24 weeks since 1973, due to the Supreme Court ruling in Roe v. Wade. In it, the Supreme Court ruled that most laws prohibiting abortion are unconstitutional.

In a 1992 case, it was confirmed that an abortion should be possible until the fetus is viable outside the womb. Doctors typically allow 24 to 28 weeks for this.

Mississippi wanted its tough abortion law in 2018 import, but met a lot of resistance. An abortion clinic challenged the law and won, after which the state went to a higher court and lost there too.

Many conservative Americans have long wanted abortion to be banned completely, or at least the law to be toughened. They often point out that life is sacred and begins at or shortly after conception.

The Supreme Court is now made up of six Conservative judges and three Liberal judges. The Republicans, who rule Mississippi, are hoping to have enough judges this time around.