Iftar Timings Mar 29 - Ramazan 18

Lahore
LHR
06:20 PM
Karachi
KHI
06:47 PM
Islamabad
ISB
06:26 PM
Peshawar
PWR
06:31 PM
Quetta
QTA
06:49 PM

News

White House calls Indiana abortion ban devastating

August 6, 2022 10:41 PM


The White House on Saturday assailed Indiana lawmakers for passing sweeping curbs on abortion access, calling it "devastating" step for the Midwestern state.

Indiana on Friday became the first state to pass such a law since the Supreme Court in June struck down the constitutional right to an abortion, originally affirmed in the landmark Roe v. Wade case.

"The Indiana legislature took a devastating step as a result of the Supreme Court’s extreme decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and eliminate women’s constitutionally-protected right to abortion," said a statement from White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre.

"It’s another radical step by Republican legislators to take away women’s reproductive rights and freedom, and put personal health care decisions in the hands of politicians rather than women and their doctors."

Both houses of the Republican-dominated Indiana legislature passed the abortion measure on Friday after weeks of bitter debate, and Governor Eric Holcomb, a Republican, quickly signed it.

When the measure takes effect Sept. 15, it will allow abortions only in cases of rape, incest, lethal fetal abnormality or when a pregnant woman faces the risk of death or severe health problems.

Alexis McGill Johnson, president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which advocates for abortion rights, called the law "cruel" and "devastating."

Jean-Pierre, in her statement, said Congress should "act immediately to pass a law restoring the protections of Roe – the only way to secure a woman’s right to choose nationally."

Until then, she said, "President Biden is committed to taking action to protect women’s reproductive rights and freedom."

While some conservative states earlier this year had preemptively passed "trigger" laws to immediately prohibit abortion once the Supreme Court acted, Indiana lacked such a law.

Abortion there had been legal up to 22 weeks. It was to state capital Indianapolis that a 10-year-old girl, victim of rape, had traveled for an abortion when unable to obtain one in neighboring Ohio.

That story drew intense media attention, further fueling passions around the issue.

Abortion has long been deeply divisive in the US, and the Supreme Court's decision ensured its centrality in the political debate ahead of midterm elections.

Democrats, who say the Supreme Court is seriously out of touch with the national mood, have seized on the result of a vote Tuesday in heavily conservative Kansas, which chose overwhelmingly to preserve that state's constitutional protection of abortion rights.



Most Read

  1. Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh Man murders young sister by smothering her with pillow in Toba Tek Singh
  2. Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation Aitchison College students, parents stage protest against principal’s resignation
  3. Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing Five Chinese among six killed in Shangla suicide bombing
  4. Sahiba meets her father for the first time Sahiba meets her father for the first time
  5. Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba Maaz Safder regrets 4-year relationship with wife Saba
  6. ‘Khaie's incredible ending receives rave reviews and big applause ‘Khaie's incredible ending receives rave reviews and big applause

Opinion

  1. IMEC to sabotage CPEC
    IMEC to sabotage CPEC

    By Dr Asif Channer

  2. 1947 TO FORM 47
    1947 TO FORM 47

    By Dr Asif Channer

  3. Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....
    Beijing wants to further highlight industrial sector in its country and take scientific innovation to new heights....

    By Ali Ramay

  4. Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses
    Global race: China will reduce its unnecessary expenses

    By Ali Ramay

  5. Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan
    Channer Pir: The Great Saint of Cholistan

    By Dr Asif Channer

  6. Literate the Religious Illiterate
    Literate the Religious Illiterate

    By Dr Asif Channer