Roe in retreat?

Abortion | It may be too soon for pro-life optimism, but a number of measures to stop or limit abortion are developing across the nation | Lynn Vincent

A pair of gavels last month rained two more blows on the federal law banning partial-birth abortion (PBA). Appeals courts for the 2nd and 9th circuits on Jan. 31 affirmed lower-court rulings striking down the 2003 statute. But the law is not dead yet: The Justice Department had already appealed a similar 8th Circuit ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Despite what looks like a setback, that appeal, set for high-court consideration this month, stands among a number of abortion-related turnabouts across the nation. The confirmations of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito have galvanized some pro-life activists and state lawmakers who believe the fresh dose of judicial conservatism may signal the beginning of the end of Roe v. Wade.