Staff Reports
The Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold a lower court ruling on emergency room abortions in Texas has dealt another hefty blow to the Biden administration’s reproductive plans, much to the chagrin of those who believe that abortion is synonymous with healthcare. It seems that the high court is not yet ready to be the Biden administration’s cheerleader when it comes to expanding abortion access in the wake of the overturned Roe v. Wade.
In a move that clearly indicates just how much trouble the Biden team is having with reproductive rights, the Supreme Court has left standing a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. This ruling favored Texas, making it perfectly clear that state laws on abortion can indeed supersede federal decrees regarding emergency medical care. The case seems to hinge on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which the administration tried to twist in its favor, expecting hospitals to perform abortions even when state laws prohibit it.
Supreme Court rejects Biden administration appeal over emergency abortions https://t.co/jmZxUIRLlS
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 7, 2024
It’s quite a spectacle to watch the administration scramble to defend its stance while claiming it’s merely trying to ensure women have access to healthcare. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra’s comments post-Idaho ruling were nothing short of a rallying cry from the Democrat camp, bemoaning that reproductive freedom is somehow under siege while clearly ignoring the will of the states to set their own abortion policies. Perhaps someone should remind Becerra that states are not merely vassals to the federal government when it comes to their own laws.
One has to appreciate the irony in the Biden administration’s desperate attempts to cling onto any semblance of progress in expanding abortion access, especially after the landmark Dobbs decision in 2022 gave states the power to determine their own abortion laws. The administration thought they could simply direct federally funded hospitals to sidestep state regulations in emergency cases, but the courts have not bought into that strategy. This can only be seen as a triumphant moment for those advocating for states’ rights and a fundamental win for the pro-life movement.
With both Texas and Idaho cases on the table, the writing on the wall is clear: the Supreme Court isn’t about to become the abortion access party bus that the Biden administration envisioned. Instead, it’s delivering serious setbacks for their agenda while reinforcing the principle that state laws can meaningfully impact individual rights—and isn’t it about time someone stood up to the ever-expanding reach of federal control?
