Oral Arguments Presented at the Supreme Court in Texas Abortion Ban Cases

The Center for Reproductive Rights and the Department of Justice presented their arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court today in cases challenging Texas’s abortion ban.

The Texas law, S.B. 8, bans abortion care after approximately six weeks of pregnancy—before many know they’re pregnant—and incentivizes individuals to seek monetary penalties by suing anyone who provides an abortion or assists someone in obtaining one in violation of the law. The Texas ban took effect on September 1 and has ended most abortion access in the state. 

Marc Hearron, Senior Counsel at the Center, presented oral arguments in Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson, the case brought by the Center and its partners. In the case, the Court will decide whether federal courts have the power to review Texas’s law, which prohibits the exercise of a constitutional right, by delegating to the general public the authority to enforce that prohibition through civil actions.

Listen to the oral arguments and read the transcript in Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson here.

After the Center’s case, the Court heard arguments, presented by U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, in United States v. Texas, the case brought by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). In that case, the Court will decide both whether to reinstate the order by the federal district court blocking the law and whether the United States government has the authority to bring this case against the state of Texas. 

Listen to the oral arguments and read the transcript in United States v. Texas here.

Watch for news and analysis on the arguments coming soon.

Replays and transcripts of oral arguments:

• Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson
• United States v. Texas