A Direct Challenge to Roe v. Wade in Alabama

<p>Alabama has adopted a law that would criminalize nearly all abortions and make the penalty for providing one up to 99 years in prison. The man who wrote the law knew it was unconstitutional — and did it anyway. We asked him why. Guests: Eric Johnston, a lawyer in Alabama who has spent more than 30 years trying to ban abortion, and Sabrina Tavernise, a national correspondent for The New York Times. For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/thedaily" target="_blank">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>.</p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li>States across the country are passing some of the most restrictive abortion legislation in decades,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/us/abortion-laws-2019.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> setting up court battles that could profoundly reshape abortion access in America</a>.</li><li>On Wednesday, Alabama’s governor signed into law<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/14/us/abortion-law-alabama.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> a measure to ban most abortions in the state</a>. Here’s<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/us/alabama-abortion-facts-law-bill.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> what’s likely to happen next</a>.</li><li>Among residents of Alabama,<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/16/us/abortion-law-women.html?smid=pc-thedaily" target="_blank"> opposition to abortion is widespread</a>.</li></ul>