This case stems from a 2018 Mississippi law that protects babies from abortion after they reach a gestational age of 15 weeks. Lower courts have blocked this law from being enforced, but Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch will have the opportunity to argue on its behalf. Fitch plans to argue against the current Supreme Court framework surrounding legal abortions.
In a statement released after the Supreme Court set Dec. 1 as the date for oral arguments, Fitch wrote,
“We are looking forward to the opportunity to present our case directly to the Justices this December. The Court has acknowledged that states have the authority to promote legitimate interests, including protecting women’s health and defending life; but its abortion precedents have denied the people and their elected leaders the ability to fully do so. In fact, the Roe decision shackles states to a view of facts that is decades old, such that while science, medicine, technology, and culture have all rapidly progressed since 1973, duly enacted laws on abortion are unable to keep up. With Dobbs, the Supreme Court can return decision-making about abortion policy to the elected leaders and allow the people to empower women and promote life.”
If you would like to watch a live stream of oral arguments on Wednesday, you can do so at the Mississippi Attorney General's website here.
