(SCOTUS) Justices to Weigh Late-Term Abortion Ban

[ProSense]

Justices to Weigh Late-Term Abortion Ban

By GINA HOLLAND, Associated Press Writer
Tue Feb 21, 10:39 AM ET

WASHINGTON - The Supreme Court said Tuesday it will consider the constitutionality of banning a type of late-term abortion, teeing up a contentious issue for a newly-constituted court already in a state of flux over privacy rights.

The Bush administration has pressed the high court to reinstate the federal law, passed in 2003 but never put in effect because it was struck down by judges in California, Nebraska and New York.

The outcome will likely rest with the two men that President Bush has recently installed on the court. Justices had been split 5-4 in 2000 in striking down a state law, barring what critics call partial birth abortion because it lacked an exception to protect the health of the mother.

But Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who was the tie-breaking vote, retired late last month and was replaced by Samuel Alito. Abortion had been a major focus in the fight over Alito's nomination because justices serve for life and he will surely help shape the court on abortion and other issues for the next generation.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060221/ap_on_go_su_co/scotus_abortion_6

[MADem]

1. Well, gee, Gomer, surprize, surprize!!!!

They didn't waste much time, did they?? It will be interesting to see how the debate is framed...

[aden_nak]

2. Wow, that took. . . weeks.

[Wordie]

3. Yep...that didn't take long, did it. eom

[ProSense]

4. Alito confirmed Jan. 31, three weeks ago today. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

5. Let's thank those Democrats that voted for the Alito cloture

pulling the rug from the likes of Kerry, Feingold, and others that wanted to filibuster this crypto-nazi, Scalito.