Released on June 29, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Supreme Court’s decision today in June Medical Services v. Russo struck down a Louisiana law imposing targeted restrictions on abortion providers (TRAP laws) that the Court had previously found unconstitutional in Texas.  TRAP laws are not designed to protect women’s health, but rather to expand the power of patriarchal church leaders and conservative Republicans and to dictate women’s most personal health decisions.  

The court also declined to rule on third-party standing which means that abortion providers can continue to challenge law that restrict access on behalf of their patients which is a crucial win for abortion activists.  The case was a challenge to a Louisiana law requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. 

As Justice Stephen Breyer noted in his majority opinion, this case was “almost word-for-word identical” to the law at issue in the Texas case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstadt, from 2016.  In that case, the crucial fifth vote was cast by Justice Kennedy—but his replacement, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, voted to keep the restrictions on the books.   

Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the majority in this case, but only because he agreed with Breyer that the issues had already been decided by the Court.  He reiterated his opposition to the arguments made by the majority in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstadt.  He doesn’t agree with Justice Breyer that the Texas and Louisiana laws “will continue to make it impossible for abortion providers to obtain conforming privileges for reasons that have nothing to do with the State’s asserted interests in promoting women’s health and safety.” 

This means that with John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, and Neil Gorsuch on the Court, access to abortion care is still on the brink of repeal.  NOW applauds today’s legal victory, but we have no illusions about the challenges women still face in defending their reproductive rights from activist judges and extremist politicians. 

Today we celebrate, but tomorrow we march—and in November, we vote. 

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on June 26, 2020

WAHSINGTON, D.C. – The House of Representatives took a step toward justice by passing the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020, but Mitch McConnell has already signaled he has no intention of taking up this measure in the Senate. Senators who want to squarely address racism and violence in law enforcement disagree. 

NOW joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, along with more than 450 other civil rights organizations, in calling on congressional leadership to reimagine public safety and put communities first by shrinking the imprint of the criminal legal system, including the police, in our lives and investing in community-led solutions to curb state-sanctioned violence by law enforcement. 

The House bill makes important police accountability advances, but many provisions in the Justice in Policing Act must be strengthened.  Addressing deficiencies in the bill such as the failure to prohibit Qualified Immunity which allows police to abuse or kill suspects with impunity is one of the most serious. NOW calls upon the Senate to listen to civil rights and justice reform leaders and make those critical improvements.   

Passing a strong Justice in Policing Act is the first step in honoring the lives of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade and so many others who have lost their lives at the hands of white supremacy and police violence.  Our activists will not pause, we will not rest, we will not tire—until Congress passes legislation that ensures justice and public safety for Black communities and begins to dismantle the structural racism that exists within our criminal legal system that has led to the loss of countless Black lives.

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,

Released on June 24, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Moments ago, the Senate voted to confirm Judge Cory Wilson to the already conservative Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. This court has jurisdiction over courts across Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas – three states with severely limited abortion access. By adding Wilson to the bench, the Trump administration and Senate Republicans have made this court a monumental threat to women’s rights and reproductive freedom in these states.  

Cory Wilson has a history of extremist decisions and beliefs. He is outspoken about his desire to roll back abortion access and has attacked Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood. He’s called the Affordable Care Act “illegitimate” and opposed an expansion of Medicaid that would have benefited 100,000 people without health insurance. He is openly anti-LGBTQIA+ and has supported laws that enable voter suppression.  

The appointment of Judge Wilson to this court is an affront to women, Black communities, and other marginalized populations who need our support. The Senate has aided President Trump in placing over 200 right-wing, extremist judges and justices in courts across the country.  

NOW fiercely opposes judicial nominees who attack reproductive rights, accessible voting, LGBTQIA+ equality, and who are actively advocating to take away women’s rights. We are determined to flip the Senate and prevent Trump from serving another term in our nation’s highest office. The shameful appointment of Judge Wilson must be the last time Trump is able to use our courts to endanger the lives and rights of women.  

Contact: Press Team, press@now.org,