Hinson, Cotton File Amicus Brief to Protect Unborn Babies with Down Syndrome

Press Release

Today, Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) filed an amicus brief in Little Rock Planning Services v. Rutledge urging the court to uphold Arkansas's law to protect unborn babies with Down syndrome. For text of the brief, click here.

The brief was signed by 65 members of the U.S. House of Representatives and 17 Members of the U.S. Senate.

"Every life is valuable and has dignity and our laws should reflect that. I am proud to lead this brief with Senator Cotton to ensure that abortions are never performed based on a Down syndrome diagnosis. I will always defend the most vulnerable and stand up for the unborn," said Hinson.

"Our society has an obligation to protect the most vulnerable, including unborn babies with disabilities. Arkansas' law seeks to protect babies with Down syndrome from modern-day eugenicists who want to end their lives, simply because of their disability. We stand with Arkansas and the unborn, and we will fight to uphold this law at the Supreme Court," said Cotton.

Background:

Rutledge v. Little Rock Family Planning Services involves a 2019 Arkansas law that prohibits medical providers from performing abortions if the sole reason for the abortion is a prenatal test indicating that the unborn baby has Down syndrome.
A district court blocked the law from taking effect, and a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit -- relying on Roberts' concurrence in June Medical-- affirmed that ruling in January.
Two judges on the panel wrote separately to say they regret the outcome even though they believe binding precedent requires it.
Arkansas has filed a petition for review with the Supreme Court.

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