North Dakota has strict requirements in its abortion laws. Attempts to strengthen the laws through legislation and a referendum have resulted in heated debates among pro-life and pro-choice activists.
The state legislature passed a law in 2013 to ban abortions when a fetal heartbeat could be detected, which could happen six weeks into a pregnancy, but the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the law was unconstitutional in July 2015,
according to The Associated Press.
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Here are some quotes from the debate in North Dakota.
“Although the likelihood of this measure surviving a court challenge remains in question, this bill is nevertheless a legitimate attempt by a state legislature to discover the boundaries of Roe v. Wade.”
—
Gov. Jack Dalrymple, CNN, referring to the state law’s relation to the U.S. Supreme Court decision in 1973 that legalized abortion in the country
“Today’s decision reaffirms that the U.S. Constitution protects women from the legislative attacks of politicians who would deny them their right to safely and legally end a pregnancy.”
— Nancy Northrup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights located in New York, The Associated Press, referring to the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling
“The decision is a sigh of relief for us and the women we serve. It’s not a surprise. We fully expected the decision to go our way but it’s always nice when it finally happens.”
— Tammi Kromenaker, director of the only clinic that provides abortions in North Dakota, CNN
“While the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court opinion that North Dakota’s Heartbeat bill is unconstitutional, the judges were almost apologetic about it. The full body of this new opinion is very positive for defending life, including pro-life laws enacted in North Dakota.”
— Rep. Bette Grande, who sponsored the bill,
the Christian Post
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