The States Poised to Restrict or Outlaw Abortion

Now that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, what's next for abortion in the United States?

In 13 states, such as Texas, Utah and Louisiana, abortion is now illegal or will become illegal within weeks as "trigger laws," which revive previous abortion bans, take effect. 16 states and Washington, D.C. have laws in place protecting abortion access. Other states, such as Indiana, Ohio and Georgia, have unenforced abortion bans that state legislatures could now revive. In some of these states, like Pennsylvania and Michigan, pro-choice Democratic governors are pitted against state legislatures controlled by pro-life Republicans.

President Joe Biden said Friday that "it's a sad day for the court and for the country" and that "I'll do all in my power to protect a woman's right in states where they will face the consequences of today's decision." He also again asked Congress to pass legislation codifying Roe v. Wade.

The decision's implications have been covered widely across the media spectrum, especially by left- and center-rated sources. Details in news coverage often reflect fundamental differences in abortion views. A report from Fox News focused on how the decision "allows state legislatures to pass laws banning abortions prior to fetal viability." Conversely, a report from HuffPost focused on the court "has struck down the reproductive rights granted in Roe" and how "abortion will now be heavily restricted or completely banned in about half of the U.S.’s 50 states."