In the dark of night, Texas legislators took a major step toward effectively overturning Roe v. Wade.
Nearly four months ago, S.B. 8 reached Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s desk and he signed it into law. Among other things, the law bars doctors from performing or inducing abortions if they have “detected a fetal heartbeat for the unborn child,” except in medical emergencies. In many cases, this law will ban abortions as early as six weeks after a woman becomes pregnant. According to CNBC, S.B. 8 “would immediately and catastrophically reduce abortion access in Texas, barring care for at least 85% of Texas abortion patients.” Adding on, doctors who assist with abortions after a heartbeat is detected can be sued and hit with fines up to $10,000.
S.B. 8 could have been stopped if the U.S. Supreme Court stepped in on Tuesday. However, the court did not and the law went into action, leaving many wondering about the future of Roe v. Wade in other states.
“In less than two days, Texas politicians will have effectively overturned Roe v. Wade,” Center for Reproductive Rights CEO Nancy Northup said on Monday.
As news of this law going into action spread, many began to raise issues on social media.
You can't actually say Roe v. Wade is the law of the land while Texas's law is enforceable, which has now been for 16 minutes.
— Zack Ford (@ZackFord) September 1, 2021
I wish I'd kept a list of all the men who patted me on the head over the last decade and told me #RoevWade was settled law and not to worry about it.
Who told me that the federal courts would be fine; Trump can't do that much damage.
Who said SCOTUS wouldn't get this bad. https://t.co/2OnNrQCBfQ
— Imani Gandy (@AngryBlackLady) September 1, 2021
