6th Circuit Appeal: TN can outlaw abortion for Down syndrome, other reasons

(AP) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee enacted “reason bans” as part of a sweeping anti-abortion
bill earlier this year. The law, recently upheld by a federal appeals court, is one of the strictest in the country.
(Mark Humphrey, File Photo)

Nashville, TN (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Friday that Tennessee can begin outlawing abortions because of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome, as well as prohibit the procedure if it’s based on the race or gender of the fetus.

The law was immediately blocked by a lower federal court just hours after Lee signed it into law. However, the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision will allow the state to enforce the reason bans while abortion rights groups continue their court battle against that law. []

“These bans are just another way anti-abortion politicians are attempting to limit the constitutional right to abortion care and to create stigma,” said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. “Decisions about whether and when to continue or to end a pregnancy are best made by the individual and their family.”

The [TN] Attorney General’s office said in a statement that they “appreciate the Sixth Circuit lifting the lower court’s injunction” and looked forward to continuing defending the statute.

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