The Kentucky Supreme Court has heard arguments over a sweeping abortion ban that was put in place by the Republican-led legislature.
The justices are considering a challenge to the state’s trigger law that banned nearly all abortions except in life-threatening cases. There are no exceptions for rape or incest victims.
The Supreme Court is allowing the abortion ban to remain in place while it reviews the case, forcing women to seek the procedure in another state.
Heather Gatnarek is an attorney for the ACLU and argued the ban is causing irreparable harm to women in Kentucky.
The hearing comes a week after Kentucky voters defeated a ballot measure that would have denied abortion rights in the Kentucky Constitution.
Solicitor General Matthew Kuhn represents AG Daniel Cameron and argued Amendment 2 that failed to pass on the ballot last week would have only clarified what he already believes to be true—that only the General Assembly has the right to make state policy on abortion.
Deputy Chief Justice Lisabeth Hughes perhaps showed how she’s feeling on the matter, noting the writers of Kentucky’s constitution were not concerned with the rights of women 130 years ago.
It’s not known when the Supreme Court will issue a ruling.