Gov't to Appeal Ruling on Abortion Measure

[Khephra]

LINCOLN, Neb. -- The Justice Department said Tuesday that it will appeal a Nebraska judge's ruling striking down the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.

U.S. District Judge Richard Kopf declared the ban unconstitutional Sept. 8, saying it interferes with the right to an abortion and fails to allow exceptions when a woman's health is in danger.

The Justice Department said it will challenge ruling on both counts before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The law, signed by President Bush last year, bans a procedure that doctors call intact dilation and extraction and critics refer to as partial-birth abortion. The fetus is partially removed from the womb and its skull is punctured or crushed.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-abortion-trials,0,3623453.story?coll=sns-ap-nation-headlines

[napi21]

1. I'm sure we'll see this go to the SCOTUS.

Because hearings take such a very long time to weave their way through the system, it probably won't get to the top dogs for at least a year or two. I believe this is yet another reason for concern in Nov. We all expected at least one SCOTUS retirement in the last 4 years, and it didn't happen. I doubt, with the age of several of the justices, we will see another 4 years with this same court. Whoever nominates the replacements will determine the outcome of this, and many other rulings that will impact the US for decades!

[wicket]

2. kick!