- 84% of lawmakers who sponsored state "trigger laws" banning abortion are men.
- The laws had zero women sponsors in five states; 12 of the 13 governors who signed them into law are men.
- 91% of US senators who voted to confirm Supreme Court justices in the anti-Roe majority are men.
What does it take to dismantle nearly 50 years of abortion rights for women? Hundreds of powerful men.
A look at the players behind a likely imminent wave of abortion bans reveals a stark lack of gender diversity that extends beyond the mostly male Supreme Court justices expected to strike down Roe v. Wade and the 91% male US senators who voted to confirm them.
A total of 380 state legislators served as lead sponsor or cosponsor of abortion bans in 13 states that take effect as soon as the high court overturns the landmark decision. They're predominantly men, too — 84%.
In fact, five of these so-called "trigger laws" — in Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee — had zero women sponsors or co-sponsors. Of the 13 governors who signed them into law, 12 are Republican men. Yet the language in these laws specifically targets women.
The vast majority of political players behind these bans were also Republicans, including 86% of bill sponsors. All of the anti-Roe justices were nominated by Republican men and 94% of the senators who voted to confirm the justices were Republican.
Jenny Chang-Rodriguez, Alex Ford, Marianne Ayala, and Shayanne Gal contributed to this story.
On May 2, Politico published a draft majority opinion, authored by Justice Samuel Alito and joined by four other justices, that would strike down Roe v. Wade. Politico named those justices as Clarence Thomas, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett, citing a person close to the court’s deliberations.
Select a judge to see who voted to confirm them:
Amy Coney Barrett
Brett M. Kavanaugh
Neil M. Gorsuch
Samuel A. Alito, Jr.
Clarence Thomas
Nominated by Pres. Donald J. Trump (R) in 2020
52 senators voted to confirm:
8 Women
8 Reps.
0 Dems.
44 Men
44 Reps.
0 Dems.
Trigger law states
There are 13 "trigger law" states with abortion bans on the books set to become law if Roe v. Wade is overturned. We examined each bill, dating back to 2005, and did a gender and party breakdown of the sponsors for each one.
Arkansas: SB 149
The Arkansas law bans all abortions unless necessary to remove an ectopic pregnancy or save the life of the pregnant woman. It takes effect once the state attorney general certifies that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers will face 10 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.
Signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) in 2019
47 state legislators sponsored the bill:
12 Women
12 Reps.
0 Dems.
35 Men
35 Reps.
0 Dems.
Idaho: SB 1385
The Idaho law bans abortions in all cases except if the life of the pregnant woman is in danger, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest that was reported to law enforcement or child protective services. It takes effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a felony and face 2 to 5 years in prison.
Signed into law by Gov. Brad Little (R) in 2020
30 state legislators sponsored the bill:
8 Women
8 Reps.
0 Dems.
22 Men
22 Reps.
0 Dems.
Kentucky: HB 148
The Kentucky law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or to prevent permanent organ damage. It takes effect immediately after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a Class D felony.
Signed into law by Gov. Matt Bevin (R) in 2019
47 state legislators sponsored the bill:
8 Women
8 Reps.
0 Dems.
39 Men
39 Reps.
0 Dems.
Louisiana: SB 33
The Louisiana law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or to prevent permanent organ damage. It takes effect immediately after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers face 1 to 10 years “hard labor” and a $10,000 to $100,000 fine.
Signed into law by Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D) in 2006
71 state legislators sponsored the bill:
12 Women
4 Reps.
8 Dems.
59 Men
27 Reps.
32 Dems.
Mississippi: SB 2391
The Mississippi law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or if the pregnancy was caused by rape and charges have been filed with law enforcement. It takes effect once the state attorney general certifies that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers face 1 to 10 years in prison.
Signed into law by Gov. Haley Barbour (R) in 2007
19 state legislators sponsored the bill:
0 Women
0 Reps.
0 Dems.
19 Men
18 Reps.
1 Dems.
Missouri: HB 126/SB 714
The Missouri bans all abortions except in cases of medical emergency. It takes effect immediately after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a Class B felony.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson (R) in 2019
1 state legislator sponsored the bill:
0 Women
0 Reps.
0 Dems.
1 Man
1 Reps.
0 Dems.
North Dakota: HB 1466
The North Dakota law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or if the pregnancy was caused by rape or incest. It takes effect once the state legislative council certifies that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a Class C felony.
Signed into law by Gov. John Hoeven (R) in 2007
4 state legislators sponsored the bill:
0 Women
0 Reps.
0 Dems.
4 Men
2 Reps.
2 Dems.
Oklahoma: SB 918
The Oklahoma law bans all abortions, unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. It takes effect once the state attorney general certifies that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. No penalties are specified.
Signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) in 2021
9 state legislators sponsored the bill:
0 Women
0 Reps.
0 Dems.
9 Men
9 Reps.
0 Dems.
South Dakota: HB 1249
The South Dakota law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman. It takes effect immediately after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a Class 6 felony.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike Rounds (R) in 2005
53 state legislators sponsored the bill:
8 Women
6 Reps.
2 Dems.
45 Men
41 Reps.
4 Dems.
Tennessee: HB 1029/SB 1257
The Tennessee law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or to prevent permanent impairment of a major bodily function. It takes effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a Class C felony.
Signed into law by Gov. Bill Lee (R) in 2019
12 state legislators sponsored the bill:
0 Women
0 Reps.
0 Dems.
12 Men
8 Reps.
4 Dems.
Texas: HB 1280/SB 9
The Texas law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or to prevent impairment of a major bodily function. It takes effect 30 days after the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a 1st degree felony and face a $100,000 fine.
Signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in 2021
69 state legislators sponsored the bill:
7 Women
7 Reps.
0 Dems.
62 Men
62 Reps.
0 Dems.
Utah: SB 174
The Utah law bans abortions in all cases except if the life of the pregnant woman is at risk; if the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest and was reported to law enforcement or child protective services; if the fetus has a lethal or severe brain abnormality; or to prevent permanent impairment of a major bodily function. It takes effect once the state legislative counsel certifies that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. Providers may be charged with a 2nd degree felony.
Signed into law by Gov. Gary Herbert (R) in 2020
2 state legislators sponsored the bill:
1 Woman
1 Reps.
0 Dems.
1 Man
1 Reps.
0 Dems.
Wyoming: HB 92
The Wyoming law bans all abortions unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman or to prevent impairment of a major bodily function. It takes effect 5 days after the governor certifies that the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. No penalties are specified.
Signed into law by Gov. Mark Gordon (R) in 2022
16 state legislators sponsored the bill:
3 Women
3 Reps.
0 Dems.
13 Men
13 Reps.
0 Dems.
