Justice Dept. will 'protect' abortion rights in TX, AG says

Attorney General Merrick Garland connected Monday said the Justice Department is "exploring each options" to situation a measure that severely limits a woman's entree to an termination successful Texas.

In a statement, Garland said that the Justice Department would situation the instrumentality "to support the law rights of women and different persons, including entree to an abortion."

The Texas instrumentality prevents a pistillate from obtaining an termination aft a fetal heartbeat is protected. That typically occurs astir six weeks aft conception — a clip erstwhile immoderate women whitethorn not adjacent beryllium alert that they are pregnant. The instrumentality does not marque exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape oregon incest.

The instrumentality besides incentivizes backstage citizens to record lawsuits against anyone aiding oregon abetting an amerciable termination — beryllium it a doctor, a unit subordinate astatine a installation that provides abortions, oregon a rideshare operator that takes a pistillate to a session for an abortion. Those successfully sued nether the instrumentality tin look a punishment of $10,000.

Garland added that national prosecutors are exploring ways to support entree to termination successful Texas done the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act oregon the FACE Act.

According to the Associated Press, the FACE Act prohibits physically obstructing oregon utilizing the menace of unit to forestall a idiosyncratic from seeking reproductive wellness care. It besides prohibits damaging spot astatine termination clinics and akin facilities.

The Texas instrumentality went into effect connected Sept. 1. A time later, the Supreme Court — successful a 5-4 decision, with Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's 3 wide judges successful dissent — allowed the instrumentality to basal for the clip being.

President Joe Biden rapidly released a connection denouncing the court's decision, promising a "whole-of-government response" to the ruling and the caller Texas law.