WASHINGTON, D.C., March 7, 2016 (LifeSiteNews) – The U.S. Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Louisiana's law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had allowed the law to take effect while it is being litigated; however, the Supreme Court reversed that decision on Friday. The Supreme Court's decision mirrors one made last summer about Texas's admitting privileges law and was opposed by Justice Clarence Thomas.
The Supreme Court heard arguments surrounding the Texas law last week. A decision is expected in June.
In a press statement provided to LifeSiteNews, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said, “[W]e disagree with the Court's unexplained decision and are disappointed that the stay was vacated. However, Louisiana's appeal will continue in the Fifth Circuit; and we remain confident that we will prevail on the merits. As Attorney General, I will continue to defend Louisiana's pro-life and pro-woman laws.”
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Retired colonel Rob Maness, who is running as a conservative outsider for Louisiana's open Senate seat against two sitting congressmen and the state's treasurer, told LifeSiteNews, “I disagree with the SCOTUS decision, and will continue to fight for all pro-life actions and efforts to provide pro-woman health care.”
Senate candidate and sitting Congressman John Fleming, a medical doctor who co-chairs the House Values Action Team and co-founded the House Freedom Caucus, told LifeSiteNews that “I strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision to temporarily block a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have local hospital admitting privileges. Circuit riding abortionists are a threat to the health and wellbeing of women. The sensible pro-life, pro-women Louisiana law would ensure added protections for Louisiana residents.”
In a statement, Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, which has taken up the case on behalf of abortionists, said the Supreme Court had “stepped in to preserve women's ability to get the constitutionally protected health care they need.”
“Just two days after arguing our case before the Supreme Court to strike down a similar sweeping law in Texas,” she said, “we look to the justices to put an end to these sham measures threatening women's rights, health and lives across the U.S.”
State Treasurer John Kennedy, who according to a February poll is leading the crowded GOP primary race for retiring Senator David Vitter's seat, told LifeSiteNews, “I strongly disagree with this decision. It's just another example of judicial overreach that tramples on states’ rights and a state's ability to put common sense regulations in place to protect the life of the unborn.”
“As a pro-life physician, I support policies that will save lives and ensure women have access to high-quality healthcare,” said Ways & Means Committee Tax Subcommittee Chairman Charles Boustany, the second Congressman running for the Senate. “While this is a disappointing development for pro-life conservatives in Louisiana, the fight isn’t over. I trust the state to argue that this law is pro-woman and pro-health, and I believe we will prevail on the case’s merits.”
