The decision by the US Supreme Court to strike down the legal decision that guaranteed the right to an abortion for 50 years will shake up American politics and jurisprudence for years to come.
The Supreme Court upheld a state law that banned abortion after 15 weeks. They said that the decision of the 1973 abortion ruling was incorrect. Three justices on the court disagreed.
The court's ruling was one of its most intensely anticipated in years, even more so after a draft of the majority opinion heralding its final decision to overturn Wade was published by Politico in April.
The court's decision to deny a constitutional right to an abortion has given states the green light to make abortion laws more restrictive. Several states run by Republican-led governors and legislatures have already passed laws that mean more restrictions on abortion will be implemented if the Supreme Court overturns the law.
The appointment of three conservative Supreme Court justices during Donald Trump's presidency allowed for the opinion in the Mississippi case to be written. The court's conservative majority is so strong that it can afford to lose the support of Chief Justice John Roberts, who is a more moderate conservative.
The Senate confirmed Jackson to be a justice on the Supreme Court. The court's balance of power won't be affected by her appointment.
With less than five months to go before the elections, the Supreme Court ruling on abortion may alter the political dynamic, though it is not certain if it will affect the vote.
Democrats are hoping that the ruling will cause outrage, attract moderate swing voters who will see Republican positions on the issue as increasingly extreme, and encourage them to vote Democratic.
Republicans think that disappointment with Biden's handling of the economy and high consumer prices will help them regain control of the House of Representatives and possibly even the Senate.
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