North Dakota Law Puts Abortion and Roe v. Wade Decision Back Into Focus

As the Supreme Court hears arguments for what could be a potentially historic decision on same-sex marriage, observers are reminded of Roe v. Wade, another historic decision on social issues that resulted in a strong political divide we still see today after 40 years. Advances in medical technology have only served to heighten the debate on abortion and "when life begins."

North Dakota’s governor just signed a law banning abortion at 6 weeks, the earliest possible moment a fetal heartbeat can be detected via transvaginal ultrasound, making it the most restrictive abortion law in the country. Five other states are considering following North Dakota’s path. These laws will near certainly be challenged as unconstitutional, and that may be by design. Some states want Roe v. Wade and abortion reconsidered, and this law could bring the issue back to the court.  At the same time, states like Washington and New York are looking to put laws into place that will protect abortion rights should the Supreme Court take another look at the issue.

On 'Real News' Tuesday the panel examined the state of polarization the country still finds itself in 40 years after Roe, the ambiguity of ‘when life begins,’ and whether or not we’ll ever see the decision reversed.