Texas Planned Parenthood has gone to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to one expert, in a desperate move to avoid complying with a new state law.
The new law, which requires abortionists to have admitting privileges in a local hospital and to follow federal guidelines in using RU486, has gone into effect after the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals refused to halt the law.
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court, though the current law is currently in effect and enforceable.
Saenz, Jonathan (Texas Values)Jonathan Saenz of Texas Values says Planned Parenthood clinics are closing because they "refuse to follow state laws" that were approved by a majority of the Texas legislature.
"So Planned Parenthood is choosing themselves to close their clinics because they don't want to follow the law," he adds.
The Texas Planned Parenthood appeal is being decided by Justice Antonin Scalia, who handles emergency appeals from Texas. He is also pro-life.
"Justice Scalia has asked the state to respond by next week so we know there's not going to be a decision before then," says Saenz, "but I seriously doubt that we're going to see anything happen."
He says it's "quite extraordinary" for the U.S. Supreme Court to take a decision like this.
"And if Scalia is the one that's driving this issue," he adds, "that makes it even more unlikely to do anything to help Planned Parenthood."
The state faces a deadline of next Tuesday to respond.
Contact: Charlie Butts , OneNewsNow.com
