Leaks of any kind are rare at the Supreme Court, but in 1973, the original Roe decision was leaked to the press before the court formally announced it. The chief justice was furious.
The court says it's routine for justices to circulate draft opinions internally. It's part of a larger procedure that involves deliberating, voting and assigning writers.
It's been six months since Texas passed a law banning almost all abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. Doctors and patients are feeling frustrated as they navigate the new legal environment.
The law bans abortions after cardiac activity is detected, usually about six weeks into pregnancy and well before many people even know they are pregnant. The ruling is at odds with court precedents.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy is backing legislation designed to codify Roe — the 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide — in state law and expand abortion access.
Ohio is the latest Republican-led state to pass a ban on abortion once a fetal heartbeat can be detected. But Tennessee this week backed off on a similar bill, fearing costly legal battles. What now?
With Brett Kavanaugh's Supreme Court nomination still up for debate, activists are planning for potential battles in state legislatures if the court eventually weakens national abortion rights.