North Dakota and Tennessee Face Abortion Law Battles

North Dakota is seeking to keep its abortion ban in place after Judge Bruce Romanick ruled the 2023 ban unconstitutionally vague and recognized a fundamental right to abortion before viability under the state constitution. The state argues that Romanick's ruling was in error and is appealing the decision. Meanwhile, a federal judge has temporarily blocked a portion of Tennessee's new law that criminalizes the recruitment or transportation of minors for illegal abortions without parental consent, citing First Amendment concerns. Judge Aleta Trauger ruled that the law creates 'criminal exposure' for statements encouraging abortion. Both cases highlight ongoing legal battles over abortion laws at the state level following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade.