JUNEAU — None of the members of the Alaska congressional delegation have signed an amicus brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a case protecting the right to have an abortion without excessive government restriction.
The brief was written in support of a Louisiana state law requiring medical providers who perform abortions to be a licensed physician or have completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology or family medicine, The Juneau Empire reported Friday. The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments over that law March 4.
Lawmakers who signed the brief argue criteria for making abortions under the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling are unworkable, officials said.
The brief was signed by 39 Republican senators and 168 representatives, only two are Democrats, officials said.
All three of Alaska's congressional representatives were absent from the list, including Republicans U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young who have stated their opposition to abortion, officials said.
Democratic and Independent lawmakers filed their own amicus brief urging the court to uphold the court case ruling, officials said.
"This case is significant not just for Louisiana. (The law) represents but one example of a recent wave of state legislation designed to impede access to abortion services and undermine this Court's holdings in Roe, Casey, and Whole Woman's Health," the opposing brief said.
Neither Planned Parenthood of the Greater Northwest and Hawaiian Islands nor Alaska Right to Life could be reached for comment Friday.