Overview

• On July 30, fifteen Republican attorneys general sent a letter to congressional leaders urging federal legislation to override state shield laws that protect abortion providers prescribing across state lines.
• The officials argue shield laws disrupt inter-state legal cooperation by defying the Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause alongside its Extradition Clause.
• Signatories include Texas AG Ken Paxton and Louisiana AG Liz Murrill, who have secured a $100,000 civil judgment as well as a criminal indictment against New York physician Dr. Margaret Carpenter.
• Paxton has filed a lawsuit against an Ulster County clerk for refusing to enforce the Texas judgment; Arkansas AG Tim Griffin issued cease-and-desist orders to telehealth distributors of abortion pills.
• New York’s 2023 shield law continues to block fines and extradition of Dr. Carpenter; Congress has not yet responded to the preemption request.