Overnight, an unelected federal judge blocked enforcement of Texas’s SB8 law that made abortions illegal after a fetal heartbeat was detected. The news was so exciting that all three networks’ morning programs made it their main story on Thursday morning.
On ABC’s Good Morning AmericaRachel Scott, congressional correspondent, celebrated the news but also weighed in with heavy-handed Republican bashing. She cheered the “blistering” “scathing” opinion from the liberal judge, “handing victory to the Biden administration”:
It was quite a scathing opinion. Judge said that since the law was in effect, women have been unable to exercise control over their lives. Although the ruling gives the Biden administration a legal win, the battle is not over.This is. Today’s breaking news regarding the fight for abortion rights. Now, the most restrictive abortion law is suspended in this country.
The Texas ban that prohibits the abortion at 6 weeks gestation was ruled unconstitutional by a federal judge. In a scathing 113-page opinion, calling it “an offensive deprivation of an important right.” The controversial and unprecedented law sparking outrage around the country. [ Abortion activists chanting ]
The judge even went out of his way to attack the GOP “scheme”, which Scott marveled at: “The judge taking aim squarely at the Republicans who crafted the law accusing them of contriving an unprecedented and transparent scheme by making it harder for the courts to knock down the law.”
ABC was sympathetic to both sides. Scott talked to Planned Parenthood workers who still worry about being sued because they performed abortions. “Planned Parenthood said the number of patients at its clinics plummeted by 80% and call centers turned into crisis hotlines,” she fretted.
Of course, no pro-life activists or Republicans were given a chance to respond.
NBC was ecstatic as well by the ruling.“Victory for the Biden administration!” The Today show teased. Correspondent Kelly O’Donnell continued congratulating he administration, “breathing a sigh of relief” this morning, touting their call to continue “the fight” against anti-abortion laws.
Showing footage of abortion activists protesting this past weekend, O’Donnell picked a side, calling abortion a “deeply personal and very public battle.” Abortion is only a “personal” right if you believe it’s not killing another human being.
However, NBC did have the distinction of being the only network interested in getting a reaction from the pro-life side. O’Donnell featured a soundbite from the Susan B. Anthony List criticizing, “Now an unelected judge has interfered with the clearly expressed will of Texans.”
Like ABC, NBC also feared some abortion clinics were still hesitant to resume abortions, for fear of a higher court reversing this judge’s ruling and being sued.
CBS’s Mornings had the shortest report of the three networks. Co-host Gayle King touted, “We begin with breaking news overnight from Texas on the state’s controversial abortion law. A federal judge is putting the measure on hold, calling it unconstitutional.”
Like O’Donnell at NBC, correspondent Jan Crawford noted the Biden administration and abortion advocates were “relieved.” She trumpeted the “strongly worded” lengthy ruling from Judge Robert Pitman calling the “offensive” law out for preventing women from “exercising control over their lives.”
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Read the transcripts below:
Good Morning America
10/7/21
ROBIN ROBERTS: We begin with breaking news overnight, a major development in the battle over abortion rights. A federal judge blocking enforcement of a Texas law, the most restrictive in the country. Our congressional correspondent Rachel Scott has the latest for us. Good morning, Rachel.
RACHEL SCOTT: Robin, good morning. And this was a blistering opinion. The judge saying from the moment that this law went into effect it has prevented women from exercising control over their own lives. The ruling handing the Biden administration legal victory but the fight is far from over. This morning, breaking news in the battle over abortion rights. The most restrictive abortion law in the nation now suspended.
A federal judge ruling the Texas ban on the procedure as early as six weeks into pregnancy was flagrantly unconstitutional. In a scathing 113-page opinion, calling it “an offensive deprivation of an important right.” The controversial and unprecedented law sparking outrage around the country. [ Abortion activists chanting ]
SCOTT: All but blocking access to abortions in the state. We were there the day the law went into effect.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD EMPLOYEE: She was surprised. She was distraught and we began to explore options and think through the logistics if she would go out of state for the care she needed.
SCOTT: Planned Parenthood said the number of patients at its clinics plummeted by 80% and call centers turned into crisis hotlines.
UNIDENTIFIED PLANNED PARENTHOOD SPOKESPERSON : It has turned into a crisis center. People do not know where to go.
SCOTT: The judge taking aim squarely at the Republicans who crafted the law accusing them of contriving an unprecedented and transparent scheme by making it harder for the courts to knock down the law by deputizing private citizens to sue anyone who aids and abets an unlawful abortion from the doctors who perform them to the drivers who take women to the clinic. Those citizens could then collect a reward of at least $10,000. Overnight the state of Texas filing an appeal leaving some providers hesitant to offer abortions again. Fearing they might be sued retroactively if the law is reinstated.
UNIDENTIFIED: I don’t think it’s going to just open up the doors and providers are going to start providing abortions but I think many will still wait and see what the higher courts have to say.
RACHEL Even the judge who blocked the law acknowledging another court could rule differently, but writing, this court will not sanction one more day. And in a statement the White House calls this an important step forward but also acknowledge that the battle over abortion rights has only just begun and the issue will land right here at the Supreme Court this Fall, Robin.
ROBIN ROBERTS: What does this mean for women in Texas right now, Rachel?
RACHEL Well, Robin, I can tell you I just got back from Texas and I was speaking to women that have been traveling hundreds of miles for an abortion procedure. Some clinics this morning in Texas do plan to resume those abortion appointments for women who are up to 18 weeks pregnant but other clinics are still hesitant, waiting for this to play out in the courts.
CBS Mornings
10/7/21
GAYLE KING: We’ll get to that in just a second, but we begin with breaking news overnight from Texas on the state’s controversial abortion law. A federal judge is putting the measure on hold, calling it unconstitutional. Jan Crawford is following that story. Jan, good morning to you.
JAN CRAWFORD: Good morning. The reaction among Biden administration officials, abortion rights advocates was relief. The judge’s decision stems from a Justice Department lawsuit against Texas last month, just days after SB-8 went into effect. The law outlaws abortions once embryonic activity is detected, which is usually around six weeks, and that could be before some women even know they’re pregnant. It allows private citizens to enforce it by bringing civil lawsuits against anyone who helps a woman get an abortion after that with fines starting at $10,000. But in a strongly worded, 113-page ruling, Judge Robert Pittman said “the law was blatantly unconstitutional. From the moment sb-8 went into effect women have been unlawfully prevented from exercising control over their lives. This court will not sanction one more day of this offensive deprivation of such an important right.”
Now, in a statement, the Biden administration cautioned that the fight has only just begun. Texas of course will appeal and the Supreme Court is taking up that Mississippi abortion ban in December that is likely going to determine not only the fate of this law in Texas, but other states as well. Nate.
NATE BURLESON: We will keep an eye on that. Jan, thank you.
…
NBC Today
10.7.21
HODA KOTB: Good morningThis is. Overnight, a federal judge halts the near-total ban on abortion. Texas. This is a victory for Biden’s administration, which challenged the controversial law. This site will keep you informed about the status of the case and any potential consequences for other states in the United States.
…
SAVANNAH GUTRIE – We start with the latest breaking news overnight. Controversial lawTexas bans all abortions.
HODA KOTB : This is a temporary solution that reverberates coast to coast. What’s next? Kelly O’Donnell, NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, is here for us at the White House. Kelly, Good morning.
KELLY O’DONNELL: Good morning Hoda. Biden Administration breathes a sigh.The temporary relief it won from the legal action taken against Texas’ abortion law was enforced against states with sweeping restrictions. According to the White House, this was an important step towards protecting what it believes are women’s constitutional right. It also noted that this fight is only beginning.
[abortion activists chanting]The nation’s most severe new restrictions on abortion were put on hold this morning. This is a temporary, however consequential development The very personal and public fight for the right to abortion is fierce. The Texas federal court ruled late Wednesday afternoon that Texas’ current ban on abortions, which is almost total in Texas, was not constitutional. This decision came after the Biden administration sought to stop this new law. The judge called the Texas restrictions “an offensive deprivation of such an important right.” It can law bans abortions after a fetal beat is detected in the six weeks before most people know that they are pregnant. This measure makes clear no exemptions for rape or incest.
The judge asked Texas attorneys about the unusual provisions of the Texas law that allow individuals to sue providers for abortion and those who help women get to clinics and pay for them. Federal judge expressed concern that similar legislation could be enacted in other states, in a ruling that was 113 pages long. This Texas law launched a larger debate. Pro-abortion supporters were encouraged to pledge to adopt the Texas example in other States, while advocates for women’s reproductive rights call for a federal response.
ROE V. Wade: This is the future of abortion.
O’DONNELL: Over the weekend women marched in cities nationwide to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to protect existing abortion rights. Susan B. Anthony List is an anti-abortion organization that responded to Wednesday’s decision by saying that now, an unelected Judge has interfered in the freely expressed will of Texans.
Washington’s Supreme Court refused to hear the Texas law. But, more legal challenges can be expected. This term, the court will also consider another Mississippi law regarding restrictive abortions. It is now unclear if Roe V. Wade’s landmark decision of a decade ago will be upheld.
KOTB – Ok Kelly! How will this Texas overnight decision affect Abortion providers?
O’DONNELL: Well, there are real practical questions. O’DONNELL: One of the largest state providers already stated that clinics will resume offering abortions for women up to eight weeks pregnant. The law which banned abortions for six weeks has caused an uptick of cases from Texas neighboring states. Other providers have resisted and aren’t willing to resume services, as they fear that the law could retroactively be sued for abortions they performed during its prohibition. This new ruling will face additional legal challenges. Are you Hoda?
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