Taking on Title X
Newsweek US|January 06 - 13, 2023 (Double Issue)
Does a ruling by a Trump-nominated judge signal a new assault on the right to contraception?
EWAN PALMER
Taking on Title X

ABORTION RIGHTS GROUPS HAVE RAISED concerns that a Donald Trump-nominated federal judge approving an anti-contraception lawsuit is proof the GOP will go further restricting the procedure post Roe v. Wade.

Matthew Kacsmaryk, a judge on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, recently issued a ruling in the case of Deanda v. Becerra, a lawsuit filed by a Christian father hoping to block the Title X federal program.

In his suit, Alexander Deanda argues that Title X, which makes federally funded family planning services available to anyone, including minors, violates his constitutional rights as a parent.

Deanda claims that as he is raising his children as Christians and they therefore should "practice abstinence and refrain from sexual intercourse until marriage," Title X interferes with the upbringing of his children. 

While the judge, who was nominated to the bench by Trump in 2017, did not halt the program, he allowed both sides to present their arguments for what should happen next. Deanda's legal team have already signaled they will seek to temporarily shut down Title X while the case is being resolved, potentially putting young people's chance to access contraceptives in limbo while the case is being argued.

The opinion makes Kacsmaryk the first federal judge to approve a challenge to the right to contraception in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Abortion rights and pro-contraception groups say the ruling is proof that fears conservative judges will use the Supreme Court's overturning of the landmark abortion ruling to push forward with further restrictions are coming to fruition.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM NEWSWEEK USView all
Mystery of Ginger Cat Is out of the Bag
Newsweek US

Mystery of Ginger Cat Is out of the Bag

The genetics behind the vibrant orange color in feline coats is finally confirmed after 112 years

time-read
3 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie
Newsweek US

Paris Hilton & Nicole Richie

PARIS HILTON AND NICOLE RICHIE ARE READY TO BRING A LITTLE “SANASA” to the world with Peacock's Paris & Nicole: The Encore, their first project together since their reality show The Simple Life ended in 2007. What's “sanasa”? It's a song and phrase the longtime friends created as kids and popularized on The Simple Life. The show, a cultural phenomenon in the early days of reality TV, followed them over a series of blue-collar jobs. Now they're bringing it back as an opera. “I know this is just going to make people laugh, have fun, be nostalgic and just celebrate our friendship,” Hilton said. While Richie acknowledged “you can't do Simple Life again,” she said now “felt like the right time.” The famous pair also revisit some old jobs in Arkansas, like fast-food chain Sonic, where they now have drinks named for them. “I think that there is a part of our friend- ship that the show ended up showing that people connect to,” Richie said. As for this new special, Hilton is glad to do something positive for their fans. “It's been such a crazy past couple years, and I just feel like the world needs more joy.”

time-read
2 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
What Next for Your Drugstore?
Newsweek US

What Next for Your Drugstore?

Walgreens and Amazon are placing opposing bets on the future of retail pharmacy

time-read
6 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
AMERICA'S GREATEST WORKPLACES for Diversity
Newsweek US

AMERICA'S GREATEST WORKPLACES for Diversity

AS COMPANIES IN THE UNITED STATES CONTINUE TO navigate the evolving dynamics of the workplace, diversity remains a cornerstone of organizational success and social responsibility.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
FIGHTING SPIRITS
Newsweek US

FIGHTING SPIRITS

ANDREA MCCARTHY TOLD FRIENDS and family when she gave up alcohol on January 1, 2024, that she would toast 12 months off the sauce with a drink to ring in 2025. As that anniversary approached, the Los Angeles-born content creator told Newsweek she had had a change of heart.

time-read
10 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
Lessons Over Lunch
Newsweek US

Lessons Over Lunch

Ninety-year-old volunteer Hugh showed me how the winter years can be full of purpose

time-read
3 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
Is California's Green Dream Hot Air?
Newsweek US

Is California's Green Dream Hot Air?

The state aims to rely on zero-carbon energy sources in two decades' time but has hurdles to overcome along the way

time-read
8 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
Power Struggle
Newsweek US

Power Struggle

As the dust settles following the toppling of Bashar al-Assad, new front lines could be drawn in Syria's old civil war

time-read
6 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
Downsizing Goes Bust for Boomers
Newsweek US

Downsizing Goes Bust for Boomers

Rising property costs are not just affecting young Americans—older people are ‘aging in place’ due to a dearth of affordable accessible housing

time-read
4 mins  |
January 03-17, 2025 (Double Issue)
Ray Romano
Newsweek US

Ray Romano

\"I read about three scripts, and at the end of each there was a little twist, a little turn, [and] it was funny.\"

time-read
2 mins  |
December 27, 2024