This is obviously important news. The Supreme Court has upheld the first piece of federal legislation banning an abortion procedure since Roe v. Wade and likely expanded the parameters for similar state abortion restrictions. Politically, it reinforces the Republican argument that conservative judicial appointments are important to pro-lifers. Both of President Bush’s nominees, John Roberts and Samuel Alito, voted with the majority.

It is also a reminder of how significant the courts will continue to be for pro-lifers. Not only is the Supreme Court still short of votes to overturn Roe, but the majority today stopped short of reversing 2000’s Stenberg v. Carhart decision striking down Nebraska’s partial-birth abortion ban. So legal gray areas remain and there is much more progress to be made.