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The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on a case next year that could threaten people's access to abortion.
Justin Hicks/IPB NewsU.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn its longstanding precedent that legalized abortion nationwide.
The Hoosier lawmakers joined the vast majority of their Republican colleagues in Congress on a brief in a case that threatens people’s access to abortions.
A Mississippi law bans abortions after six weeks. Such laws have typically been struck down. But the conservative Supreme Court’s decision to take the case has led many to believe a full overturning of the landmark 1973 abortion rights case Roe v. Wade is possible.
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That’s what Young and Braun want. And Mike Downs Center for Indiana Politics Director Andrew Downs said, politically, that’s a safe position.
“They recognize this is going to really excite their base," Downs said. "I think they also recognize that it’s really going to excite the progressive base. But they understand their base is bigger than the progressive base.”
There’s limited public polling on abortion Indiana. But what polls there are suggest Hoosiers are split close to even on whether abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.
Downs said if the Supreme Court allows states to ban abortions, Young and Braun will face tougher questions.
“Logically, they’ll both get pushed – well, when should abortion be available?” Downs said.
Hundreds of women died every year nationwide seeking illegal abortions before the Supreme Court’s Roe decision.
Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.
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