Now What?
This Week in Abortion is a collection of good reads, news, and policy insights.
Today I’m sharing some of the best pieces I’ve seen as we all work to sort things out and find hope in what the next four years will bring.
Election Fallout
Both anti-access and pro-access advocates have been claiming victory. One reason why is split-ticket voting, which may inform future campaigns.
Looking at the Results
Why Abortion Rights Won in Three States That Voted for Trump [Time]
The Exit Polls: From A to Z [America Enterprise Insitute]
Results showed the highest level in the past three presidential election years. [The Hill]
Why Democrats’ abortion messaging failed to resonate in Texas, despite unpopular bans. [Texas Tribune]
[In states] Republicans are celebrating after they chipped away at Democratic majorities and fended off expensive challenges in states the GOP narrowly controls. [NPR]
The Next Campaign
Anti-abortion advocates are saying that direct campaigning by top Republicans is a key asset for any amendment battles in the next election cycle. [Washington Examiner]
As [Patrick T. Brown, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, a conservative think tank] observed, “Pro-life is out. Pro-family is in.” [New Yorker]
‘Such Small Steps.’ States Without Citizen-Led Ballot Initiatives Leave Abortion-Rights Advocates With Little Recourse. [Time]
New abortion-rights measures in 7 states could trigger legal, legislative challenges [Stateline]
Abortion opponents prepare to undermine just-passed ballot measures. [Politico]
[A Republican Rep] is mounting a long-shot challenge seeking to block [an incumbent Republican from] leadership…in the Missouri House, arguing that he is not up for the job of defending anti-abortion values. [Missouri Independant]
The Reckoning
Sofia Resnik got this revealing quote from Catherine Glenn Foster an activist with just about every major anti-abortion group,
We need to have a real reckoning….We’ve created an environment where doctors are scared. They don’t know how to respond and how to treat, and that’s a big problem. We have to address that before we pass anything else.
According to Resnik, “she acknowledged that state abortion bans have created real problems, including women dying of preventable pregnancy-related causes and being denied routine miscarriage care.”
The Trump Administration
Everyone is trying to read the tea leaves to figure out what bad news will come out of DC first - and exactly how bad it will be.
Ten Actions Dems Can Take to Protect Abortion Before Trump Takes Office. [Abortion, Every Day]
New Trump administration could change rules on counseling and referrals for pregnancy. [Alabama Reflector]
Where Trump AG pick Matt Gaetz stands on abortion, LGBTQ+ rights and criminal justice. [The 19th]
Could Abortion Doom Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s HHS Appointment? [TNR]
Last May, Kennedy said he supported full access without the government getting in the way of doctors and their patients. But, that was after he said he supported a ban at three months, and before he adopted the anti-access election messaging calling bans even before viability a “national consensus”.
What Not To Do: Hoard Abortion Medication.
As writer Nicole Karlis says in her Salon Article:
Researchers say that stockpiling is a normal response to a crisis. However, it can lead to artificial shortages and inflated costs, overall leading to less access to the treatment…Notably, the demographic data on who is stockpiling is at odds with the demographic data of who is most likely to get an abortion.
In the States
Critical policy fights are going on across the country in cities, counties, and states. Here is a sample look at what is happening on the ground. (Shout out to States Newsroom and their affiliated publications. Their coverage of state capitals is excellent.)
Con
Carbondale faces legal battle over protest restrictions outside abortion clinics…If the Supreme Court decides to take up the case…It could have far-reaching implications. [Capitol News Illinois]
Abortion opponents back measure barring local support programs [Ohio Capitol Journal]
Pro
Amid concerns about a federal rollback, Cook County Commissioner pitches more money for reproductive health. [WBEZ]
Texas lawmakers target property taxes, abortion and gender transition care in first bills for the 2025 session [Texas Tribune]
Va. House panel advances amendments on abortion rights, marriage equality and voting rights [Virginia Mercury]
New legislation would update Michigan’s public school sex education curriculum [Michigan]
Legislation to protect reproductive health data gets hearing in Michigan Senate committee. [Michigan Advance]
‘Overwhelmed and frustrated,’ Louisville woman sues to overturn Kentucky’s abortion ban [Kentucky Lantern]
*The emailed version of this newsletter quoted Sarah Resnick rather than Sofia Resnick.