PIERRE, S.D. - Lawmakers here are preparing to vote on a bill that would outlaw nearly all abortions in South Dakota, a measure that could become the most sweeping ban approved by any state in more than a decade, those on both sides of the abortion debate say.With these two additions, is it any wonder? Yes, Roberts was cagey about Roe v. Wade, but he (and Alito) had every reason to be. If nothing else, I'm sure that abortion opponents would want to nail down their positions, so they know how close they are to overturning Roe v. Wade if they can't simply do it now.
If the bill passes a narrowly divided Senate in a vote expected today, and is signed by Gov. Michael Rounds, a Republican who opposes abortion, advocates of abortion rights have pledged to immediately challenge it in court - which is precisely what the bill's supporters have in mind.
Optimistic about the new additions to the U.S. Supreme Court, some abortion opponents say they have new hope that a court fight over a ban here could lead to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision that asserted the legality of abortion around the country.
Of course, it might not even pass; apparently the State Senate may not go ahead with it, but somebody would have passed a law like this sooner or later.
Hat tip to Digby, who notes that the abortion debate is largely about punishing "loose women" as much as protecting innocents' lives (else why exclude the innocent children of rape and incest, as so many abortion opponents do?)