Supreme Court Leaves Texas Abortion Law in Place, Allows Challenges to Proceed

The Supreme Court on Friday decided to leave Texas's new abortion law in place, but said that providers could still sue certain state officials.

By an 8-1 vote, the court decided abortion providers would be allowed to challenge the six-week abortion ban in federal court by suing some state officials but not others. It also blocked a legal challenge from the Biden administration requesting that justices block enforcement of the law, meaning that only lawsuits from private parties will proceed in lower courts. Rather than being directly enforced by the state, the law allows private citizens to sue other private citizens who provide or facilitate an abortion. The Supreme Court initially let Texas's law, which took effect in September, proceed for that reason. The Justice Department and abortion providers argue that this structure allows states to obstruct constitutional rights.

Outlets across the spectrum amplified the story on Friday, but often with different framing. Coverage from left- and center-rated sources highlighted it more prominently, often highlighting potential negative consequences the bill could have for women and reproductive rights; how only some challenges to the law will move forward; and how the law doesn't allow exceptions for rape or incest. Reports from right-rated sources often highlighted the fact that clinics still have the right to sue over the law.