Supreme Court Delivers Big Wins for Life!
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court wrapped up one of the most consequential terms in recent memory, resulting in major victories on life, free speech, parental rights, and judicial restraint. Thanks to your prayers and support, Life Legal’s own voice was heard in two of the most important cases: Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic – In a 6-3 decision, the Court ruled that Medicaid’s “any-qualified-provider” clause does not give abortion businesses a private right to sue, clearing the path for states to redirect funds away from Planned Parenthood. Life Legal’s amicus brief provided the Court with a clear legal framework explaining why these providers should not be able to use federal courts to override state decisions about taxpayer funding. Olivier v. City of Brandon – On July 3 the Court agreed to hear this First-Amendment case challenging a Mississippi ordinance that silenced a sidewalk evangelist. Lower courts had dismissed Olivier’s lawsuit using a procedural catch-22. Life Legal’s brief urged the Court to take the case and correct the law to ensure that Olivier – as well as other speakers—has his day in court. The Court will hear oral argument in the case during its 2025-2026 term, which begins in October.
Other SCOTUS Rulings with Pro-Life Implications • United States v. Skirmetti – The Court confirmed that states can prohibit puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors, protecting children from irreversible and potentially sterilizing treatments. In so doing, the Court declined to bow to the authority of self-appointed science “experts” and medical groups whose anti-life, anti-family opinions have for decades been taken as gospel by trial courts. • Trump v. CASA, Inc. – The Supreme Court ruled that federal judges generally cannot issue nationwide injunctions based on lawsuits from a few individual plaintiffs. While some judges will undoubtedly resist any restriction on a power they have unlawfully exercised for the past 50 years, the Supreme Court’s decision should quickly dispose of these judicial power grabs (e.g., the Massachusetts judge who just “refunded” Planned Parenthood after Congress defunded it). • Mahmoud v. Taylor – The justices held that public schools cannot force children to participate in pro-LGBTQ lessons that substantially interfere with the religious beliefs their parents wish to instill in them. This ruling requires schools to notify parents and to allow parents to opt their children out of sex-education or other classes conflicting with their sincerely held religious convictions. • Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton – The Court upheld Texas’s porn-site age-verification law, providing states with a powerful tool to shield children from sexual exploitation. Why Your Support Matters Now The culture-of-death lobby is already regrouping: Pro-aborts are pumping abortion pills into states that otherwise restrict abortion. Life Legal is working with like-minded organizations to push back and stem the flow of these deadly drugs. Speech-zone ordinances like Brandon’s are popping up nationwide, threatening sidewalk counselors and pregnancy centers. We are challenging a similar “bubble zone” ordinance in California that muzzles speech outside abortion mills, schools, and even churches. State constitutions are under assault from well-funded campaigns to enshrine abortion—and assisted-suicide advocates are now laying the groundwork for similar constitutional drives.
To meet these challenges we must be ready—briefs drafted, experts retained, and attorneys in court the moment a case breaks. Will you stand with us today?
3. Train the next generation of pro-life attorneys and policy leaders.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” — Proverbs 31:8
Thank you for giving voice to the vulnerable. Together, we are turning legal victories into lasting cultural change.