There was a brief backlash to Alabama's law, but over the last four years, 10 states have enacted abortion bans in early pregnancy without rape or incest exceptions: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, Tennessee and Texas. All were blocked by the court, except Texas' law, which is in effect.
In recent weeks, several other legislatures have been racing to put abortion bans on the books. Arizona's governor recently signed a 15-week abortion ban without rape or incest exceptions, although it is not yet in effect.
Similar 15-week bans without these exceptions are awaiting the governor's signature in Florida and Kentucky. Oklahoma's Legislature this week approved an almost total ban on abortion except for medical emergencies. It has not yet been signed by the governor.
The Supreme Court this summer will consider the constitutionality of one of those laws - Mississippi's 15-week ban that excludes exceptions for rape and incest. In doing so, the court will decide whether to undo its 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationwide.
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