After three very dark days for our nation, those who cherish life rejoice in the news that the Supreme Court no longer endorses the senseless killing of innocent, partially-born babies. In a week where the effects of violence have been so keenly felt, we applaud the U.S. Supreme Court's decision today upholding Congress's statute that ends the bloodshed of the unborn by the horrific partial-birth abortion procedure. The U.S. Supreme Court's vote in today's case was 5- 4. We insist that this matter should not be in the Court, for it is not in the Constitution that was written by our Founders. However, at least now the Court is beginning to grant that the people, through their elected representatives, have a say in this matter. Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy (joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, and Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Antonin Scalia) upheld a principle that was established in Planned Parenthood v. Casey--the state has a legitimate interest in protecting unborn human life.
The opinion also seems to indicate that the Court is rethinking the way in which challenges are brought by the abortion lobby to every statute affecting abortions. For years, the abortion lobby has been able to stop almost all legislation by "facial challenges." Now, perhaps, they will have to prove their case in court, as everyone else has to do. For FRC, this rare gleam of sanity in the abortion debate is a long-awaited triumph, marked by years of hard work on Capitol Hill, in legal briefs, through congressional testimony, and countless publications aimed at educating Americans on the importance of protecting life and helping mothers. We can hope, and pray, that this Supreme Court majority will, in subsequent cases, continue to recognize, ever more effectively, the interest of the people in protecting mothers and their children in the womb.
(Source: Family Research Council)
