In high-profile case, Kavanaugh signals openness to allowing Louisiana abortion restrictions as constitutional

Justice Brett Kavanaugh signaled that he is open to state-level abortion restrictions in a high-profile Supreme Court hearing Wednesday.

The court's most junior member, closely watched because he is a Trump appointee who could swing the balance of the court toward ruling more abortion regulations as constitutional, was speaking during oral arguments in a case on Louisiana abortion regulations similar to Texas regulations the court struck down four years ago.

Kavanaugh questioned whether it was burdensome for Louisiana to make abortion doctors get permission to check patients into nearby hospitals if they could easily apply and get cleared to do so. His questions suggested he may be willing to view the regulations as fair and not burdening to women seeking abortions, opening the door to narrowing the ruling the Supreme Court issued four years ago.