In the past few months, America has seen a wave of states introduce anti-abortion legislation. Mississippi’s governor has signed into law a bill that bans abortion after 15 weeks (except in the case of severe fetal abnormalities or medical emergencies); the governor of Louisiana, a Democrat, has voiced support for a similar version should it reach his desk; Kentucky passed a measure that could become one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation; and Ohio lawmakers have proposed banning abortion altogether. All of these measures would directly challenge Roe v. Wade.
The new abortion wars
A podcast explaining the anti-abortion movements happening in Mississippi, Ohio, and Louisiana.
Oliver Dempsey/Getty News Images
“The anti-abortion movement is feeling emboldened to really kind of take the next step,” said Heather Shumaker, senior counsel for reproductive rights and health at the National Women’s Law Center.
Vox reporter Anna North noted: “If you are someone who is concerned with rights for women ... people of color ... people who are poor ... some of these attacks on reproductive health specifically can fly under the radar.”
On the latest episode of Today, Explained, North joins Sean Rameswaram to survey the growing restrictions on women’s reproduction under the Trump administration and how Roe v. Wade might once again be in jeopardy.
Related reading:
- How Trump helped inspire a wave of strict new anti-abortion laws (Anna North)
- Mississippi governor signs nation’s toughest abortion ban into law (Jenny Gathright, NPR)
- Louisiana governor said he would sign 15-week abortion ban (KATC)
- An Ohio bill would ban all abortions. It’s part of a bigger plan. (New York Times Editorial Board)
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You can get the news we’re reading throughout the day, facts and stats to make you smarter about the world, and behind-the-scenes photos on Twitter at @Today_Explained. You can follow Sean at @Rameswaram and Anna North at @AnnaNorthTweets.
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