Statement on the Supreme Court Decision to Grant Emergency Stay In Texas

Texas—Today, the Supreme Court issued an emergency stay delaying the enforcement of an anti-abortion Texas law that would have caused widespread abortion clinic closures throughout the state. The law is delayed while the case against the legislation is appealed to the Supreme Court.

In early June, the politically-charged 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld provisions of an anti-abortion law passed in 2013, H.B. 2. The law has already forced more than half of Texas’ abortion clinics to close and would leave the state with fewer than 10 abortion clinics had the Supreme Court not intervened.

“This Supreme Court decision is a temporary victory for Texans’ health and safety, but it only postpones a public health disaster.” said NARAL Pro-Choice Texas Executive Director Heather Busby “If allowed to go into full effect, H.B. 2 will devastate access to reproductive-health-care by leaving the state with fewer than 10 abortion clinics. Health care should not depend on your zip code or your bank balance. We can celebrate this decision today, but the reality is that Texans’ health and safety are still in jeopardy.”

“Women’s health in Texas has long been under attack. The stay granted by the U.S. Supreme Court is a welcomed step in the uphill battle to protect women’s access to the abortion care that they deserve.” said NARAL Pro-Choice America Senior Vice President Sasha Bruce “We hope the Supreme Court will decide to hear this case and further protect women’s rights. We proudly stand by our partners in the fight against these dangerous laws.”