The Georgia Supreme Court upheld Wednesday’s state’s fetal-heartbeat law. This law bans abortions after a doctor can detect a baby’s heartbeat.
The Associated Press reports that the High Court placed a ruling by a lower court overturning the ban in a one-page order. “Abortion providers who have resumed the procedure after six weeks will be required to cease.”
According to the order, seven of nine justices had voted in favor of the decision. One was disqualified, and the other did not participate.
This ruling is temporary and does not affect the ability to reinstate the provision permanently. However, attorneys for the state are still working on the motion to permanently restore the restriction.
This ruling was issued just over a week following Fulton County Superior Court Judge who had enjoined abortion restrictions on the technicality the General Assembly passed the law 2019 before the U.S. Supreme Court issued Dobbs ruling. This ruling gave the states the ability to decide whether or not they wanted to ban abortion.
McBurney wrote that “at that time — in the spring of 2019, — all across America, including Georgia — it was unequivocally illegal for governments — federal and state — to prohibit abortions before viability,” in his November 15 ruling.
McBurney’s ruling did not block the law’s fetal heartbeat sections, but it left its other provisions intact.
Kara Richardson, spokeswoman for Attorney General Chris Carr said that “We are happy with the Court’s action today.” “However, due to the pending appeal, we are unable to provide any further comment.”
Gov. Brian Kemp’s office declined to comment due to the ongoing litigation. However, pro-life groups from Georgia were pleased with the Supreme Court ruling.
Cole Muzio, Frontline Policy Council’s Director of Communications, stated in a statement that abortions had fallen 52% before Judge McBurney made his evil decision. “Lives were being saved, heartbeat will now take effect again and save more lives.”
“This decision is a huge victory for life and will ensure babies with beating hearts remain safe in our state up until the Georgia Supreme Court rules on pro-life Attorney General Chris Carr’s appeal to uphold it in its entirety,” said an email from Georgia Life Alliance.
