WASHINGTON — Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed an unprecedented, dangerous abortion ban to go into effect in Idaho, marking the top court’s first ruling on a state abortion ban since the Dobbs decision. The Idaho ban was a trigger law passed by the Republican legislature in 2020 and is one of the most extreme in the country, criminalizing anyone who performs or attempts to perform an abortion. This deadly ban is not only dangerous for Idaho women and patients – it also paves the way for fellow conservative states to pursue egregious bans.
These bans have chilling effects on reproductive care across the board – we’ve already seen a slew of OBGYNs and maternity care providers flee Idaho, including two hospitals closing its maternity wards last year, leaving pregnant patients in dire conditions.
The Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal to this case in April, and the DLCC will pay close attention as state legislatures across the country continue to pass bills that determine the future of fundamental freedoms.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“The consequences of this ban cannot be overstated. This isn’t just about Idaho – Republican legislatures across the country are watching closely to follow suit and impose further restrictions on our fundamental freedoms. With the Supreme Court proving again it will allow these extreme bans to go into effect, the stakes of the 2024 elections couldn’t be higher – we must elect Democrats to state legislatures to protect our rights and save lives. The DLCC is on the frontlines of this fight. We will continue pushing for reproductive access as we hold Republicans accountable for their attacks on fundamental freedoms, in every zip code, in every community across the country.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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