In 1973, a 7-2 ruling was issued on the Roe v. Wade court case, the case that ensured abortion rights in the US, in favor of Roe. In making abortions legal until around 24 weeks into the pregnancy, it set a precedent; a precedent which may not be in place for much longer. Now, nearly 50 years later, a person’s right to choose whether to terminate a pregnancy is under attack and the landmark decision could be overturned. 

A Mississippi law was passed in 2018 that outlawed abortions after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade. The question of the constitutionality of the case has recently been brought to attention in the pending case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, presented through oral arguments to the Supreme Court. Opting to uphold the law would undermine a precedent and potentially open a door for more restrictive bans on abortion to be passed, like Texas Senate Bill 8, an unrelated law which also deals with abortion rights. 

Prospects are looking bleak for those in favor of overturning the Mississippi law, as the Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority and is likely to side against it. Chief Justice John Roberts expressed that “viability doesn’t have anything to do with choice,” and asked, “Why is 15 weeks not enough time?”

No matter what the outcome is, it is sure to fuel the abortion debate and will affect people around the United States.