Republican-led state legislatures are aggressively pursuing measures to further restrict abortion access in 2025, even in states where abortions are already heavily regulated.
In the wake of the 2022 Supreme Court decision allowing states to set their own abortion laws, the Guttmacher Institute reports that 12 states have enacted total abortion bans, and seven others have implemented stringent restrictions.
West Virginia, which currently bans abortion except in cases of rape or incest, is considering a new bill from Del. Lisa White that seeks to remove these exceptions. The bill, supported by 10 Republican cosponsors, has sparked criticism from advocacy groups.
Emily Womeldorff of Planned Parenthood South Atlantic commented, “The introduction of HB 2712 is a clear indication that cruelty is not only the point of these continued attacks on abortion care, but the priority.”
South Carolina legislators are also considering a similar bill that would eliminate exceptions for rape and incest and remove judicial bypass provisions for minors without parental consent. Currently, South Carolina permits abortions up to 12 weeks in such cases, though it generally bans the procedure after six weeks.
There is uncertainty over how claims of rape and incest could be substantiated within these limited time frames in both states.
States like Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas are proposing laws to classify abortion-inducing drugs as controlled substances, criminalizing their possession and distribution. Louisiana has already enacted such legislation.
While some medical uses for these drugs remain, restrictions on storage may complicate access during emergencies. Dr. Jennifer Avegno of the New Orleans Health Department noted, “Even if that adds a few minutes—which it will—in the setting of a life-threatening hemorrhage, minutes are really important.”
Wyoming faces potential unintended consequences from a broadly worded state senate bill banning fetal destruction, which could impact treatments like chemotherapy and heart surgery.
Activists have been attempting to counteract restrictive laws by promoting ballot initiatives to secure abortion rights. Despite recent victories in seven states during the November 2024 elections, efforts to undermine these initiatives continue.
In Montana, where nearly 60% of voters supported abortion rights, lawmakers are pushing House Bill 609 to criminalize crossing state lines for abortions, with penalties up to 40 years in prison.
Arizona and Missouri also face legislative challenges to voter-approved measures supporting abortion rights. Arizona Rep. Rachel Keshel has introduced a bill to potentially override the voter decision, and Missouri’s Rep. Phil Amato advocates for an online database to connect pregnant individuals with adoptive parents.
With most state legislative elections scheduled for 2026, abortion rights are expected to be a critical issue. According to a Pew Research poll from May 2024, 63% of voters favor legal abortion in most cases, contrasting with 36% who support more restrictions.
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) anticipates abortion rights will remain a significant topic in future ballots. DLCC President Heather Williams stated, “Republicans are pushing the boundaries of their extremism in state legislatures, launching increasing attacks on women.”
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