Federal Court Affirms Major Pro-Life Victory for Gov. Bevin, Commonwealth

Statement

In a major pro-life victory for Gov. Matt Bevin and the people of the Commonwealth, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit today denied EMW Women's Surgical Center's petition for rehearing of the House Bill 2 ultrasound case.

In April, the Sixth Circuit upheld the constitutionality of HB 2 (2017), which requires an abortion provider to provide mothers with an ultrasound and a description of what it depicts, as well as the opportunity to hear the fetal heartbeat, before she chooses to terminate her pregnancy.

Earlier this month, the Louisville abortion clinic asked the Court to rehear the case en banc (before the entire bench) in a desperate attempt to undermine the Kentucky law, which passed with the support of more than 87 percent of state legislators.

"Today's ruling is a victory for Kentuckians, for the rule of law, and for commonsense medical practice," said Gov. Bevin. "I am grateful to be governor of a state that values every human life, and Kentucky will proudly continue to lead the fight to ensure strong pro-life protections for the most vulnerable among us."

Attorney General Andy Beshear refused to fully defend this law, arguing simply that he should not have to be involved -- a position that one member of the Court expressed bewilderment about during oral argument.

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