Attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) are representing House Speaker Timothy Moore (R) and Phil Berger (R), president pro tempore of the North Carolina Senate, as an abortionist is challenging five laws ADF says are "aimed at promoting maternal health and safety." They require that abortions be performed in person at a certified hospital or clinic and at the hands of a qualified physician – after a woman has provided voluntary and informed consent following a period of reflection.
The filed memo explains that the state's top lawmakers should be allowed to intervene because Attorney General Josh Stein (D) "refuses to defend the challenged laws."
"Attorney General Stein has publicly announced that he will not defend North Carolina's laws and in fact agrees with the abortionist's position in this case," relays ADF legal counsel Erica Steinmiller-Perdomo. "So it's important that the legislative leaders intervene in order to defend the laws of North Carolina that have been duly enacted through the General Assembly at the will of the people."
The case, known as Bryant v. Stein, is taking place at the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, Durham Division.
"Women who become unexpectedly pregnant should be empowered with life-affirming options and resources to make the best choice for themselves and their unborn babies," contends Denise Harle, director of the ADF Center for Life. "We urge the court to allow Speaker Moore and President Pro Tempore Berger to help defend North Carolina's pro-life and pro-woman laws."
ADF attorneys have represented Moore and Berger in two other cases defending North Carolina's pro-life laws: Bryant v. Woodall and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic v. Moore.
