Appeals judges skeptical about reinstating NC abortion ban
Associated PressRALEIGH, N.C. — Federal judges expressed skepticism on Thursday about reinstating North Carolina’s ban on abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, especially after state officials have acknowledged that the prohibition hasn’t been enforced. Echoing the actions of GOP-led legislatures in numerous states, Republicans at the North Carolina legislature have been passing laws expanding abortion restrictions since taking over the General Assembly a decade ago. Scott said the amendment placed “a chilling effect on constitutional rights.” Referring to the amendment, Judge Albert Diaz asked Wood whether he would agree that “legislatures don’t go about modifying or amending statutes if they have no intent on their being enforced.” Diaz was nominated to the court by President Barack Obama. Judge Julius Richardson, a Donald Trump nominee, said the fact that North Carolina and other states are passing medical-exception laws “seems to me to suggest that the threat of prosecution is more credible,” although “maybe not credible enough.” Federal courts have previously struck down other abortion laws that North Carolina legislators passed.