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US Attorney General Merrick Garland: "All the resources at our disposal"
Photo: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA
The US government has filed a lawsuit against the state of Idaho to block a proposed law there that would provide for a "near-total ban" on abortion.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said in Washington on Tuesday.
He pointed to plans in Idaho to ban abortion in almost all cases, including medical emergencies for pregnant women.
The lawsuit is the first legal challenge to state abortion laws since the Supreme Court ruled in June's landmark Roe v.
Wade' judgment of 1973.
According to Garland, the regulation, which is to come into force in the conservative-governed state in the north-west of the USA at the end of August, only provides for an exception for cases in which a woman's life is in danger, but not for cases in which an abortion is necessary to prevent a serious threat to a woman's health.
According to the US Department of Justice, this violates federal law.
Because all hospitals that receive certain government funds are required to provide patients in the emergency room with the "stabilizing treatment" necessary to save their lives or prevent serious damage to their health.
And under certain circumstances, a termination of pregnancy is absolutely necessary as such "stabilizing treatment".
Idaho Gov. Defends Legislative Plans
At the end of June, the Supreme Court overturned the right to abortion, which had existed for almost 50 years, arguing that it was not anchored in the constitution.
Because there is no statewide law protecting the right to abortion, legislation now rests with the states.
Republican-governed US states in particular are now trying to establish restrictive abortion regulations as quickly as possible.
The government of US President Joe Biden had sharply criticized the Supreme Court's decision and announced that it would use all conceivable means to promote abortion rights.
The lawsuit against Idaho is an example of this.
"We will use all resources at our disposal to ensure pregnant women receive the emergency medical care to which they are entitled under federal law," said Attorney General Garland.
"And we will be closely reviewing state abortion laws to make sure they comply with federal law."
Republican Idaho Governor Brad Little tweeted that the Justice Department was interfering in state affairs.
Idaho's abortion restrictions are scheduled to go into effect on August 25.
The state's highest court plans to deal with the legality of the law on Wednesday.
phw/dpa/Reuters
