Supreme Court to Consider 'Landmark' 15-Week Abortion Ban and It Could Be a Game-Changer

The U.S. Supreme Court made a bold move Monday, saying it will determine whether states can ban abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The decision to review the law stems from a ruling in Mississippi from 2018 when then-Gov. Phil Bryant signed the nation's toughest restriction on abortion. 

The legislation was designed to protect unborn children and the health of pregnant mothers. But U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves stopped the law from taking effect. Reeves ruled that Mississippi's 15-week ban was unconstitutional because it would prohibit access to abortion before the unborn baby could survive outside the pregnant woman's body. 

***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the CBN News app to ensure you keep receiving the latest news from a distinctly Christian perspective.***

In 2019, Reeves also blocked a law banning most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, at about six weeks of pregnancy. Some consider "viability" to be around 23 or 24 weeks.

But with more conservative Supreme Court justices now on the court, pro-life advocates are hopeful that our nation will get a step closer to overturning Roe v. Wade.

The Mississippi case does not directly challenge the legal right to an abortion, but it could lay the groundwork for more restrictions. And if Roe v Wade is ever overturned, abortion would then become a state issue. 
  
Mallory Quigley of the Susan B. Anthony List explained, "Ultimately the hope is that the Supreme Court will take the handcuffs off the states and allow them to pass laws that reflect the values of the people that live there." 

Kristen Waggoner with Alliance Defending Freedom tweeted that it's time for some common sense when it comes to abortion laws: "Today the Supreme Court agreed to hear a major abortion case. Every human life is valuable. And the majority of Americans support commonsense laws like Mississippi's, which protects unborn children and their mothers. We're hopeful the Supreme Court will agree."

Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) also tweeted his support of the Mississippi measure on Monday.

"This is a huge step forward in the work that has been done over decades to protect the life of every child starting in the womb. I hope you'll join me in praying for the outcome that respects every human life. #ProLife"

The Susan B. Anthony List also shared the news on Twitter writing, "#SCOTUS to review Mississippi 15-week abortion ban. This is a landmark opportunity for the Supreme Court to recognize the right of states to protect unborn children from the horrors of painful late-term abortions. - @marjoriesba."

And Lila Rose, founder of Live Action, said, "This is the most important abortion-related case in a very long time. We are long overdue for the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey... A 15-week-old baby has a face, fingernails, eyelashes, a heartbeat and brainwaves. The Supreme Court should grant equal protection under the law to all humans, even from the very beginning of every human's life."

One abortion clinic remains operational in Mississippi and that owner said procedures are performed up to 16 weeks gestation.