President Trump's advisers are upset with Senator Hawley's launch of an anti-abortion group, viewing it as a strategic misstep that could harm Republican prospects in the upcoming midterms, while also highlighting internal GOP tensions over the issue and potential 2028 presidential ambitions.
The Trump administration announced new policies on IVF that emphasize pro-life positions but did not include new funding or coverage requirements, leading to mixed reactions from advocates and concerns over cuts to reproductive health research and regulation agencies.
The FDA approved a generic version of the abortion pill mifepristone, sparking outrage among anti-abortion groups who oppose expanded access, despite extensive evidence supporting the drug's safety and efficacy. The approval is seen as a victory for evidence-based medicine by supporters, amid ongoing political and legal debates.
House Republicans are planning a briefing with anti-abortion groups on the expiration of Obamacare subsidies, amid debates over whether these subsidies fund abortions, while other political conflicts include censorship of comedian Jimmy Kimmel and potential government shutdown strategies. The debate over healthcare subsidies continues, with Democrats advocating for their extension to prevent coverage loss, and Republicans expressing concerns over costs and fraud.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear a case involving First Choice Women’s Resource Centers challenging a New Jersey subpoena for donor information, focusing on whether such subpoenas violate First Amendment rights, building on a 2021 decision about charity donor reporting requirements.
Tennessee lawmakers passed the "Baby Olivia Act," requiring schools to include the controversial anti-abortion video "Meet Baby Olivia" or similar content in family life curricula, sparking criticism from opponents who argue the video is misleading and designed to manipulate emotions. The video, created by the anti-abortion organization Live Action, has drawn attention for its portrayal of fetal development and is part of a broader trend in some states to incorporate such material into education following tighter abortion restrictions.
The Alabama Supreme Court has ruled that frozen embryos can be considered children under state law, citing anti-abortion language in the Alabama Constitution, a decision that could have significant implications for fertility treatments. The ruling, issued in wrongful death cases involving destroyed embryos, has sparked concerns about the future of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and the freezing, donation, or destruction of embryos, previously considered property by the courts. Critics warn of potential broad ramifications for civil and criminal law beyond abortion access, while supporters view it as a declaration of voters' beliefs and a guarantee of legal protection for the unborn.
A man known as "The Official Pro-Life Spider-Man" climbed the 366-foot-tall Sphere venue near the Las Vegas Strip to raise funds for a pregnant woman and protest abortion, resulting in his arrest. This incident occurred just days before the city hosts its first-ever Super Bowl. Des Champs, a local rock climber, has a history of similar stunts and has been charged with felony destruction of personal property and conspiracy to destroy property.
Opponents of abortion rights gather in Washington, D.C. for the annual March for Life rally, coinciding with House Republican leaders' support for two anti-abortion bills that focus on pregnancy centers and unwanted pregnancies. The bills, passed by the House, align with the event's theme and reflect GOP leaders' avoidance of controversial abortion-limiting legislation. Speaker Mike Johnson and House Pro-Life Caucus Chair Chris Smith are scheduled to address the rally, which is the largest anti-abortion event in the country.
A review of Republican Congressman Mike Johnson's former legal clients reveals his close association with extreme anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ groups, some of which have ties to violent movements. Johnson, who has openly expressed his anti-abortion and anti-gay beliefs, provided legal services for free to clients who advocated for violence against abortion providers and the LGBTQ community. One former client, who now leads a militant organization linked to the murder of an abortion doctor, also endorsed the hanging of government officials during the January 6th Capitol attack. Despite the violent rhetoric of his clients, Johnson has not distanced himself from their actions or denounced their involvement in the insurrection.
Jonathan Mitchell, the attorney behind Texas's controversial abortion ban, Senate Bill 8, is now demanding that abortion funds hand over extensive information on every abortion they have supported since 2021, including patient details and identities of those who assisted them. This move is seen as an intimidation tactic in the ongoing legal battle over the state's six-week abortion ban. Abortion funds have filed a motion to protect the privacy of their clients and workers, arguing that the requests are irrelevant to the case and could violate First Amendment protections. The discovery requests highlight the threats and intimidation tactics employed by Texas Republicans, who believe they can bend the law to their agenda.
Iowa Republicans have passed a bill banning most abortions after around six weeks of pregnancy, a time before most people know they are pregnant. The legislation, which will take immediate effect after the governor signs it on Friday, prohibits abortions after the first sign of cardiac activity, usually around six weeks, with exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The bill is the latest in a series of anti-abortion laws passed in states across the US since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade last year. Legal challenges are expected to be filed to block the measure.
Anti-abortion activists celebrated the first anniversary of the Supreme Court's decision to eliminate the national right to abortion, while acknowledging the challenges ahead. The ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization sent the issue back to the states, shuttering some clinics, prompting others to open, and setting up new battles over abortion pills, miscarriage care, and contraception. Legal abortions declined more than 6 percent in the first six months after the ruling. Pro-abortion rights advocates also rallied support at events across the country, emphasizing support for abortion access among Republicans and independents.
Nebraska Republican state senator Christy Armendariz, who voted for a combined anti-trans and anti-abortion bill that passed by one vote in the legislature, has admitted that she didn’t pay attention to the issue. Armendariz said she found it puzzling that a reporter from New York would come all the way to Nebraska to cover the affair. The bill bans gender-affirming care for trans people under 19 years old and also tacks on an amendment to outlaw abortion after roughly 10 weeks of pregnancy. The legislation has sparked protests and criticism from opponents.
Anti-abortion leaders are lobbying Donald Trump to support a 15-week ban on abortion, which they believe should be the standard for the Republican Party. However, Trump has not embraced a ban and has framed some abortion legislation as electorally toxic. The anti-abortion movement has confronted difficulties early in the 2024 GOP primary season, with at least one prominent Republican candidate causing headaches as well. The issue of abortion has come to dominate the early primary season and could soon become even more pronounced.