Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

September 2016 – On June 27, 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a 2013 Texas law requiring surgical abortion facilities to apply safety standards that are required by law of other surgical centers. Many Texas abortion clinics had closed as a result.

“The decision erodes states’ lawmaking authority to safeguard the health and safety of women and subjects more innocent life to being lost,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said in a statement.

On the same day, U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves effectively blocked part of Mississippi’s religious objections measure, House Bill 1523, that would have become law July 1, 2016. Under the Obama appointed judge’s ruling, Mississippi clerks cannot recuse themselves from issuing marriage licenses to same sex couples based on their religious beliefs.

Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves (R) responded: “If this opinion by the federal court denies even one Mississippian of their fundamental right to practice their religion, then all Mississippians are denied their First Amendment rights.”

(See related story on here.)

washingtonpost.com, 6/27/16; onenewsnow.com, 6/28/16