The state of choice in our union

What would the U.S look like if Roe v. Wade was overturned? I got a glimpse into how things break down by state this weekend.

a. Bans:
This year 10 states introduced legislation to ban abortion -
Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Lousiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and, of course, South Dakota where citizens are gathering signatures for a petition to put their abortion ban to a statewide ballot. I wish them luck with that effort. People in South Dakota claim that 65% of them are pro-choice. We'll see if that is true.

b. Trigger Bans:
5 states introduced legislation to trigger an abortion ban if Roe v. Wade is overturned -
Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, and West Virginia.

11 states have existing trigger laws or bans on the books that could be enforced if Roe v. Wade is overturned -
Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachussetts, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

I did not realize that such thing as a trigger law existed. Additionally, I have always thought of Illinois as a solidly pro-choice state. I learn new things every day. (every Saturday at least)

c. Pro-choice legislation:
4 states have existing legislation to protect a woman's right to choose in the absence of Roe v.Wade -
Hawaii, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Rhode Island

7 states have statues that would protect a woman's right to choose in a world without Roe -
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, Nevada and Washington

I guess Hawaii is making extra sure that they protect the right to choose.

d. The rest of the Union:
21 states have no legislation on the books or proposed for either position -
Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan. Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Utah, and Wyoming

In some states the strategy against choice is to pass laws to restrict access to abortion to an ever smaller population of women and an ever narrower set of circumstances. That's the usual strategy in Missouri. It is a strategy that the Supreme Court upholds on a case by case basis.

The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) (S.2593/H.R.5151) was introduced by Senator Barbara Boxer and Representative Jerrold Nadler to the Senate and the House. And for once the bill's name reflects its actual intent.

NARAL Pro-choice America can help you send an email to your Senator and Representative or you can send your own message. Need to looks someone up? Juan has a pretty nice site here.

I would like to see the abortion question get duked out on a national level as a national conversation. And I would like to see the United States make a choice for choice. The whole "let each state decide" thing sucks. (Ever notice that the questions taken up as matters of state's rights are charged and difficult like slavery and abortion. Are there any good issues that merit a defense of state's rights?)

If Roe v. Wade is overturned I have no doubt that the anti-choice factions know exactly what they are going to do on a state by state level. Have you given any thought to what will you do?

Or, what you could do now to affect what would happen then?