Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/21pdf/21a85_5h25.pdf
Page Number: 7.0

Cite as:  595 U. S. ____ (2021) 

7 

SOTOMAYOR, J., dissenting 
Opinion of SOTOMAYOR, J. 

right that may not even have majority support on the cur-
rent  Supreme  Court.”    Reply  Brief  for  Intervenors  in  No. 
21–50949 (CA5), pp. 3, 4; see also id., at 4 (“The Supreme 
Court’s interpretations of the Constitution are not the Con-
stitution itself—they are, after all, called opinions”). 
  There  is  no  dispute  that  under  this  Court’s  precedents, 
women  have  a  constitutional  right  to  seek  abortion  care 
prior to viability.  As noted, S. B. 8 was created to frustrate 
that right by raising seemingly novel procedural issues, and 
it has had precisely the intended effect.  Under such unique 
circumstances, the equities plainly favor administrative re-
lief while this Court sorts out these issues.  Every day that 
S. B. 8 remains in effect is a day in which such tactics are 
rewarded.    And  every  day  the  scheme  succeeds  increases 
the likelihood that it will be adapted to attack other federal 
constitutional rights. 

* 

  * 

  * 
  There  are  women  in  Texas  who  became  pregnant  on  or 
around  the  day  that  S.  B.  8  took  effect.    As  I  write  these 
words, some of those women do not know they are pregnant.  
When they find out, should they wish to exercise their con-
stitutional right to seek abortion care, they will be unable 
to do so  anywhere  in their  home  State.   Those with  suffi-
cient resources may spend thousands of dollars and multi-
ple days anxiously seeking care from out-of-state providers 
so overwhelmed with Texas patients that they cannot ade-
quately  serve  their  own  communities.    Those  without  the 
ability to make this journey, whether due to lack of money 
or childcare or employment flexibility or the myriad other 
constraints  that  shape  people’s  day-to-day  lives,  may  be 
forced to carry to term against their wishes or resort to dan-
gerous methods of self-help.  None of this is seriously in dis-
pute. 
  These  circumstances  are  exceptional.    Women  seeking 
abortion care in Texas are entitled to relief from this Court 
now.  Because of the Court’s failure to act today, that relief, 
if it comes, will be too late for many.  Once again, I dissent.