Washington, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Justice Department announced a lawsuit against Texas over S.B. 8, the newly enacted law restricting abortion access. In response, Maggie Jo Buchanan, director of Courts and Legal Reform at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
The Justice Department’s lawsuit is a welcome response to a law that flies in the face of the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. It was critical for the government to step in after the Supreme Court allowed the Texas law to take effect without full briefing or even a hearing. The court’s decision represents a complete disregard for precedent and the rule of law. Moreover, the court’s shameful refusal to act has had national consequences, with several other states already announcing their intention to emulate this cruel law.
This law cannot be allowed to stand. It was crafted to circumvent the constitutional right to abortion care and turn private citizens into bounty hunters who can sue any person who helps an individual access care, sowing distrust and fear among communities. This lawsuit is an important step toward reversing this denial of justice.
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].