(Washington D.C., June 27, 2016)—Today the U.S. Supreme Court struck down two restrictions on abortion enacted by the State of Texas in 2013 that would have shut down three quarters of the clinics in the nation’s second-largest state. The 5-3 decision in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt, upholding the constitutional rights of Texas women, will allow the remaining clinics in the state to keep their doors open and clear a path for other clinics to open or reopen to meet the needs of those who need abortion care across the state.

Statement by NCLR Policy Director Julianna S. Gonen:

“As it did one year ago in our landmark case that brought marriage equality to the nation, today the United States Supreme Court affirmed the constitutional protections that secure some of the most personal decisions one can make—decisions around family formation. Whether choosing a life partner or determining whether to continue or end a pregnancy, the liberties enshrined in the Fourteenth Amendment are fundamental and cannot be legislated away by politicians. Today’s ruling struck down unconstitutional regulations imposed by Texas on abortion clinics. Those clinics can now resume providing essential reproductive health care, as well as care to the LGBTQ community, which often turns to these providers as vital sources of compassionate and affirming care.”