Supreme Court to hear challenges to abortion, immigration rules held over from Trump administration
WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday took up a series of cases challenging federal regulations created during former President Donald Trump's administration, including a hotly contested effort to cut funding to medical centers that refer patients for abortions and a rule designed to limit legal immigration.
Described by critics as a "gag rule," the 2019 abortion referral provision drew condemnation from Democrats at the time and praise from anti-abortion groups that saw the move as a way to reduce funding for Planned Parenthood and similar entities. Federal appeals courts have been split on the rule's constitutionality.
Supporters say the rule will ensure federal money isn't used for abortions, while opponents say it would restrict the ability of women to obtain abortion counseling. The decision to take the case may give the new 6-3 conservative majority on the high court its first opportunity to wade into the abortion debate.
The Trump-era rule "is designed to target abortion providers to score political points," said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. "The gag rule’s harm is felt most by those who have always faced systemic barriers to health care."
https://www.yahoo.com/news/supreme-court-hear-challenges-abortion-150929540.html
