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Supreme Court Refuses To Block Texas Abortion Law For Second Time

Pro-choice activists hold signs outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021. The court's conservative wing to offers a menu of opportunities exploit its 6-3 majority, and give Republicans the type of payoff they envisioned when they pushed through her Senate confirmation just before the 2020 election. Photographer: Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Supreme Court refused to block the Texas abortion law on Friday for a second time.

However, the justices did agree to fast-track consideration of appeals from the Justice Department and Texas abortion providers. Arguments will begin on Nov. 1.

On Dec. 1, the Court will hear a challenge to Mississippi’s restrictive abortion law, which bans abortions after 15 weeks.

Nonetheless, the Court’s decision not to bar enforcement of the Texas abortion law seems to constitute a win for anti-abortion activists. The law makes abortion practically unavailable in the state.

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However, fast-tracking consideration of the abortion dispute could be a sign of hope.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor filed a dissent over the Court’s refusal to block the ban. “For the second time, the court is presented with an application to enjoin a statute enacted in open disregard of the constitutional rights of women seeking abortion care in Texas,” she wrote. “For the second time, the court declines to act immediately to protect these women from grave and irreparable harm.”

Elizabeth Letsou