A federal court lifted an injunction against Tennessee’s “heartbeat bill” that will implement a six-week abortion ban throughout the state.
The ruling follows a request from Attorney General Herbert Slatery to lift the measure, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled to overturn Roe v. Wade. The landmark decision previously established a constitutional right to abortion.
“The 6th Circuit upheld our heartbeat law, marking another significant protection for unborn children in our state. I thank TN Attorney General Slatery for his tireless efforts and commend the Court’s swift action on behalf of Tennessee families,” Governor Bill Lee said in a tweet after the ruling.
The 6th Circuit upheld our heartbeat law, marking another significant protection for unborn children in our state. I thank TN Attorney General Slatery for his tireless efforts and commend the Court’s swift action on behalf of Tennessee families.
— Gov. Bill Lee (@GovBillLee) June 28, 2022
Previously, Lee praised the Court’s ruling as a win for the pro-life movement:
“After years of heartfelt prayer and thoughtful policy, America has an historic opportunity to support women, children and strong families while reconciling the pain and loss caused by Roe v. Wade. We have spent years preparing for the possibility that authority would return to the states, and Tennessee’s laws will provide the maximum possible protection for both mother and child. In the coming days, we will address the full impacts of this decision for Tennessee,” he said immediately after the ruling.
In addition to the six-week ban, state leaders have also authorized a “trigger law” to take effect 30 days after the ruling from the Court. After 30 days, the new law will “criminalize performing or attempting to perform an abortion, except in cases where it is necessary to prevent death or serious and permanent bodily injury to the mother,” according to Lee’s office.
Specifically, the law targets abortion providers, not individuals seeking to receive an abortion.
Pro-abortion voices slammed the new law and the judicial decision:
“Abortion bans rob people of their ability to make the decisions that are best for themselves, their lives, and their futures,” said Ashley Coffield, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi.
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Cooper Moran is a reporter for The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected].
