Upon signing the Fetal Heartbeat Preborn Child Protection Act, Senate Bill 1309, Governor Brad Little made Idaho the first state to enact a law modeled after a Texas statute banning abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy and allowing it to be enforced through civil lawsuits to circumvent constitutional court challenges. This information was provided by Keith Ridler of the Associated Press.
In a timely manner, on the same day, one week after the enactment of the aforementioned legislation, the Idaho Statesman’s Ryan Suppe reported that Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, and Kentucky had filed a petition in the Idaho Supreme Court to block the law.
In a letter addressed to Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who is also president of the Senate, Little expressed her solidarity with all Idahoans who seek to protect the lives of preborn babies. “Furthermore, I have joined with other pro-life governors in signing an amicus brief requesting the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey.” The measure was subsequently passed by the Senate with a vote of 28 in favor and 6 opposed, and by the House with a vote of 51 in favor and 14 opposed. All Democrats expressed opposition to the bill.
It is evident that Planned Parenthood held a different opinion. “The legislation establishes a highly problematic precedent in Idaho, which will be challenged in court,” Rebecca Gibron, interim CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky, informed the Idaho Statesman by telephone.
Gibron further asserted that the law is “blatantly unconstitutional.” He characterized it as an example of government overreach, contending that pregnant individuals have a right to make their own healthcare decisions without undue interference from politicians.
The petition was filed on behalf of the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate and Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, an Idaho abortion provider.
Gibron further elaborated, stating that the law is “blatantly unconstitutional” and represents a “government overreach at its worst.” He asserted that pregnant individuals have the right to make their own healthcare decisions without undue influence from politicians.
The petition was filed “on behalf of the regional Planned Parenthood affiliate and Dr. Caitlin Gustafson, an Idaho abortion provider.” When the bill was under consideration by the state House, The Washington Post’s Caroline Kitchener reported that
Ahead of the vote, state Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R), who co-sponsored the legislation, emphasized that the Texas ban has “withstood three challenges,” referring to the three occasions in which the U.S. Supreme Court passed up an opportunity to block the law since it took effect in September.
“Abortion is not a constitutional right,” Ehardt said. “The Supreme Court in 1973 did something that was never allowed in the first place.”
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
