WASHINGTON, D.C.., June 27, 2024 —The U.S. Supreme Court decided on a vote of 5-4 not to rule on whether or not there is a conflict between Idaho’s pro-life law, the “Defense of Life Act,” and federal law.
In the case, Idaho and Moyle, et al., v. United States of America, the courtdismissed the case and returned it to the Ninth Circuit. This case centered on a conflict between Idaho’s statute and the Biden administration’s reinterpretation of the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
Brent Leatherwood, president of the ERLC, commented on the court’s decision:
“At the heart of the case is the wild assertion by the Biden Administration that abortion is healthcare. Instead of dismantling that argument and protecting lives, the Court punted. We agree with Justices Alito, Thomas and Gorsuch that any perceived conflict here is the result of the federal government’s novel approach to EMTALA. These justices would have moved forward with ruling on the merits of the case––and the Court should have done so.
“While the Court states Idaho’s law is allowed to at least partially remain in place, we remain vehemently opposed to any efforts to restrict pro-life laws from protecting the lives of vulnerable preborn children, especially those that radically reinterpret laws meant to save lives, like EMTALA.
“Obviously, this matter is not resolved. Following the Dobbs decision, it is clear that states have the authority to protect vulnerable lives, as Idaho’s law does. They should not be prevented from doing so by those wanting to advance a pro-abortion agenda.”
This Supreme Court case is one of three the ERLC engaged this season, advocating for the court to protect vulnerable lives, including preborn children and women.
The ERLC will continue working towards a day when abortion in any form is both illegal and unthinkable. More analysis is available here.
