A lone Democrat joined Illinois' House Republican delegation in signing a legal brief calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to "reconsider" the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion access nationwide.
More than 200 members of both houses of Congress signed the amicus brief filed with the high court on Thursday. U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Chicago) joined Illinois Republicans Darin LaHood, Adam Kinzinger, Rodney Davis, Mike Bost and John Shimkus.
The case stems from a Louisiana law requiring doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges to hospitals. The clinics suing to block the law argue the requirement would leave only one doctor still qualified to perform abortions at one clinic in the state. The plaintiffs argue that would create an "undue burden" on the approximately 10,000 women who seek an abortion in Louisiana each year.
But the lawmakers argue in their brief that the lower courts have struggled to define what's considered an "undue burden" on abortion access. They say this demonstrates the unworkability of the right to abortion found in Roe v. Wade.
The lawmakers ask the court to reconsider, and "if appropriate," overturn the 1973 ruling protecting abortion access under the U.S. Constitution.
Lipinski and Minnesota Rep. Collin Peterson were the only two Democrats to sign the brief. Thursday marked the last day for supporters of the law to file briefs in support of the law.
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