North Carolina Legislative Leaders File Memo to Vigorously Defend Abortion Laws
As the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Durham Division, considers a motion to intervene in a lawsuit regarding North Carolina’s abortion laws, the state’s top lawmakers are filing a memo in support of the motion.[0] The memo explains that since Attorney General Stein refuses to defend the challenged laws, the Legislative Leaders will offer a vigorous defense of the laws providing basic protections for women undergoing the serious and life-altering procedure of abortion.[0]
The motion states that “This case proves the necessity and wisdom of North Carolina’s choice about who can speak on the State’s behalf in federal court.”[1] North Carolina’s current law bans abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions for medical emergencies.[2] Republican legislative leaders have promised further limits to the law, and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) has expressed his support for a “heartbeat bill”, but is working to pass something that can be enacted over an expected veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.[2]
Unfortunately, the restrictions have already had an effect on the medical community. Dr. Pettigrew reported that they have been hearing from colleagues where they are being told by their hospital lawyers that the patient needs to be “closer to death” in order to receive an abortion.[3] This alarming situation is why the Legislative Leaders are fighting to vigorously defend the laws and ensure that women are provided with basic protections.
0. “Bryant v. Stein | ADFMedia.org” ADF Media, 22 Feb. 2023, https://adfmedia.org/case/bryant-v-stein
1. “Stein joins plaintiff in accepting lawmakers' intervention in abortion pill lawsuit” Carolina Journal, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.carolinajournal.com/stein-joins-plaintiff-in-accepting-lawmakers-intervention-in-abortion-pill-lawsuit
2. “Reproductive rights advocates tell legislators to reject more abortion restrictions | The Pulse” The Progressive Pulse, 21 Feb. 2023, https://pulse.ncpolicywatch.org/2023/02/21/reproductive-rights-advocates-tell-legislators-to-reject-more-abortion-restrictions
3. “Doctors Urge Lawmakers Not to Limit Abortion Further” INDY Week, 26 Feb. 2023, https://indyweek.com/news/northcarolina/doctors-urge-lawmakers-not-to-limit-abortion-further/
