the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Dec 11, 2023
In the first lawsuit of its kind since Roe was overturned, a Texas mother of two has sued the state seeking an emergency abortion. She seeks a medical exception to the state’s abortion bans.
Kate Cox is 20 weeks pregnant. Her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition. She has been to the Emergency Room four times in severe pain. Her doctor recommends an abortion. Because of her complicated medical situation, she could lose the ability to have children in the future if the abortion is not performed soon. She wants her doctor and her husband protected from prosecution for helping her terminate this pregnancy.
Her lawsuit was filed, and a county judge ruled in her favor on December 7. On December 8, the reactionary attorney general of Texas, Ken Paxton, appealed to the Texas Supreme Court to block the abortion.
Late on Friday, December 8, the Supreme Court of Texas blocked the abortion from proceeding, stating they need more time to consider all the arguments in the case.
Here are the two main arguments in the case. The lawyer arguing the case for the state of Texas, Jonathan Stone, made the argument that Texas must continue bans on abortion. He stated, “The only party that’s going to suffer an immediate and irreparable harm in this case … is the state.”
The attorney representing Ms. Cox, countered: “I would just note that the harm to Ms. Cox’s life, health and fertility are very much also permanent and cannot be undone.”
These two arguments are what the Supreme Court of Texas needed “more time” to consider! Reactionaries in Texas pretend medical exceptions exist within abortion bans to protect the life and health of the mother. But when time is of the essence and a woman asks for help to protect herself, her doctor and her family from prosecution, these judges dither.
The words repulsive, disgusting, and despicable only begin to describe an attorney general and judges who are delaying legal protection for a woman in medical danger!