October Term 2015 · Docket 15-274
Do Texas abortion clinic rules create undue burdens?
Clinics argue Texas rules block access. Texas argues the rules protect health.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Ms. Toti argued the Texas requirements undermine the Casey balance.
General Verrilli argued the Texas law effects are more extreme than prior cases.
Mr. Keller argued the sides that brought the case try to upset the Casey balance.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 40-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 26-18 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 26-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 48-18 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 48-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 8-26 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 8-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-50 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 48-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 4-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 4-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 48-4 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 48-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 18-28 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 18-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 48-20 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 48-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 38-50 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 38-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 16-30 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 16-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-6
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
the sides that brought the case want the Court to strike down two Texas clinic rules. They claim these rules create substantial obstacles to abortion access. the opposing sides want the Court to uphold the rules. They claim the rules serve legitimate state health interests.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on March 2, 2016.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 16-30 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 16-30
What each side wants
the sides that brought the case want the Court to invalidate the Texas clinic rules.
the opposing sides want the Court to keep the Texas clinic rules in force.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
What each side says
the sides that brought the case argue the rules undermine the balance struck in Casey.
the opposing sides argue the rules protect women's health and safety.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
What the justices asked
Chief Justice Roberts asked what evidence supports the sides that brought the case' claims.
Justice Ginsburg asked if the surgical center claim is distinct from prior litigation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 40-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 26-18 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 26-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 48-18 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 48-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 8-26 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 8-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-50 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 48-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 4-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 4-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 48-4 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 48-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 18-28 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 18-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 48-20 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 48-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 38-50 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 38-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-6
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of state power to regulate abortion clinics. It determines how much access women have to reproductive care. It shapes the legal standard for evaluating clinic safety rules.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 36-48 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 36-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 8-18 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 8-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 36-46 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 36-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 6-14 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 6-14
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 20-22 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 20-22
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 40-20 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 40-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 26-18 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 26-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 44-46 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 44-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 48-18 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 48-18
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 59, lines 8-26 — Transcript, file page 59, lines 8-26
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 32-34 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 32-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 48-50 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 48-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 4-20 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 4-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 60, lines 48-4 — Transcript, file page 60, lines 48-4
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 10-34 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 10-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 61, lines 40-50 — Transcript, file page 61, lines 40-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 18-28 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 18-28
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 62, lines 48-20 — Transcript, file page 62, lines 48-20
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 26-30 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 26-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 63, lines 38-50 — Transcript, file page 63, lines 38-50
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 65, lines 16-30 — Transcript, file page 65, lines 16-30
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 16-16 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 16-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 20-24 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 20-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 38-48 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 38-48
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 52-6 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 52-6
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 24, lines 18-46 — Transcript, file page 24, lines 18-46
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 20-34 — Transcript, file page 3, lines 20-34
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 36, lines 24-24 — Transcript, file page 36, lines 24-24
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 56, lines 6-12 — Transcript, file page 56, lines 6-12
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 26-16 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 26-16
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Official Transcript ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.