Texas Abortion Ban at the Supreme Court: What Happened

Three hours of oral arguments—and you'd hardly even know it was about abortion.

Photo of Marc Hearron, attorney representing the Texas abortion clinics, outside the Supreme Court building
"We hope to have relief from the Court, finally, after the law has been in effect for two months now," said Marc Hearron, the attorney representing Texas abortion clinics and providers challenging Texas SB 8, after oral arguments. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

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The Supreme Court today heard arguments in two cases challenging Texas SB 8, the unconstitutional near-total abortion ban:

  • Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson, brought by Texas clinics, providers, and abortion funds
  • United States v. Texas, brought by the Biden administration

Three hours of oral arguments—arguments for days!—and, as Jessica Mason Pieklo points out in this special rapid reaction episode of Boom! Lawyered, you’d hardly even know it was about abortion.

Jess is joined by co-host Imani Gandy to break down all the legalese from the morning’s arguments, and to state the obvious: “Meanwhile, there are pregnant people sitting in Texas right now, who need abortion care. And these jackasses are just talking about stuff that is so far beyond the actual critical issues” people on the ground are facing.

Jess and Imani also discuss Justice Amy Coney Barrett and her substantive questions, their ever-growing ire with Justice Stephen Breyer, Texas’ hilarious argument that the answer to SB 8 is Congress, and U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar representing the United States on her first day of work.

Transcript (PDF)