U.S. Supreme Court - Abortion

Justices Have Pointed Abortion Discourse

In an intense morning of arguments, lawyers for the Bush administration and supporters of abortion rights gave starkly contrasting views: A law passed by Congress labels it a gruesome and inhumane practice. Supporters argue that such abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy sometimes are the safest for women.

A man in the audience began shouting midway through the proceedings, disrupting the hearing briefly before police dragged him away.

Seven justices took part in questioning both sides about whether the court should defer to congressional findings that these abortions are never medically necessary. Abortion advocates disagree, saying there is strong medical evidence to the contrary.