Abortion: Justice O'Connor's Opinions


 

Publication Date: July 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Law and ethics

Type:

Abstract:

In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court, led by Justices O'Connor, Kennedy, and Souter, adopted a new standard for reviewing the constitutionality of restrictions on abortion. Under the new standard, a reviewing court would consider whether an abortion restriction has the effect of imposing an "undue burden" on a woman's right to obtain an abortion. This report will examine Justice O'Connor's notable opinions on abortion, and explore her role in the development of the undue burden standard.