The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals is deciding yet another challenge to Texas' abortion laws. Both sides argued before a three-judge panel Monday.
This one has to do with a ban on an all-too-common second-trimester procedure which several abortion groups are suing to keep. John Seago with Texas Right to Life argues the procedure in question is barbaric.
“A child who is 18 weeks in utero can suffer from this gruesome and inhumane abortion procedure that takes the life of a child by removing his or her limbs while they're still alive,” he says.
Seago says the case centers around the child's heartbeat.
“Throughout this whole debate, even back into the 70s, the court has acknowledged there is a strong state interest in protecting what they call 'potential life.'”
The case has the potential to be one of the first major abortion cases to reach the U.S. Supreme Court since the appointment of Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
“This is the type of case that the pro-life movement really wants to go to the Supreme Court because it asks the right question, and shows the flaws in previous Supreme Court rulings,” says Seago.