The legislation also would rescind most federal restrictions on abortion, as well as conscience protections for health-care workers and most, or maybe all, bans on government funding of the procedure, NRLC reported.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule by June or early July on a Mississippi law that prohibits abortion after 15 weeks’ gestation. Following the high court’s December oral arguments in the case, many pro-life and abortion-rights advocates believe the justices are likely not only to uphold the ban but to overturn the Roe ruling and the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey opinion that affirmed that decision but permitted some state regulation of abortion. Such a reversal by the Supreme Court would return abortion policy to the states.
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In briefs before the oral arguments, Mississippi and many pro-life organizations, including the ERLC, asked the high court to reverse both the Roe and Casey opinions.
The ERLC posted Tuesday (March 1) an array of resources on its website explaining the Mississippi case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, and its potential effect. The resources, which can be accessed here, include a prayer guide.
In bringing the WHPA to the floor for a vote, Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., told the chamber Monday this “is a dark, dark time for reproductive rights. So the Senate today is going to take action because abortion has never been more at risk in America.”
Though they voted against consideration of the WHPA, Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska introduced legislation Monday to codify the right to abortion established by Roe and endorsed by Casey.
In September, the House of Representatives approved the WHPA, 218-211. All House Republicans, joined by Democrat Rep. Henry Cueller of Texas, voted against the measure. Biden strongly endorsed the proposal before the House vote.
This article originally appeared here.
