Gonzales v. Carhart
United States Supreme Court
550 U.S. 124 (2007)
Relevant factsFree
The federal Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act (PBABA) prohibited "intact dilation and evacuation" (Intact D&E), a specific second-trimester abortion method, while leaving standard D&E procedures untouched; Dr. Carhart (plaintiff), who performed Intact D&E, sued Attorney General Gonzales (defendant) to enjoin the law, arguing it was unconstitutionally vague and lacked a maternal-health exception. The district court and court of appeals agreed the PBABA was unconstitutional.
IssueFree
Whether Congress may ban a specific type of partial-birth abortion procedure, provided the restriction is narrow and clearly defined and does not impose an undue burden on a woman's right to an abortion.