Federal appeals court allows Georgia abortion law to take effect immediately
NBCDec 28, 2022
Georgia Judge Strikes Down 6-Week Abortion Law
Above: Fulton County (Ga.) Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney in August 2023. Image copyright: Megan Varner/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
A state judge in Georgia on Monday ruled an abortion law restricting the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy violated the state's constitution, opening greater access to abortions for Georgian women.
Georgia was one of four states that criminalized abortions after six weeks, not long after the US Supreme Court ended a national right to the procedure in 2022. This ruling allows women to receive abortions through at least 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
This is a major victory for those who value bodily autonomy and a woman's right to have authority over her own health. No one else should be allowed to govern women's health decisions. This overturned law has had deadly consequences, so it's up to judges to make corrections to the law where legislators have erred.
Republican narrative
Although this judge's ruling will probably again be overruled by the state Supreme Court, McBurney has put the lives of innocent babies and young women, who may have to deal with the lifelong trauma caused by an abortion, at risk in the interim. More must be done to make sure the will of the people isn't overturned by rogue actors.