AG Calls for Congressional Action on State Shield Laws

In a letter to U.S. Congressional leaders on Tuesday, Attorney General Steve Marshall, along with 15 other Republican attorneys general, urged lawmakers to override state-level “shield laws.”

They contend that these laws obstruct the ability of states with strict abortion laws to enforce their regulations and violate constitutional principles like full faith and credit and extradition clauses. The letter presents these shield laws as part of an ongoing legal fight between states that criminalize abortion and those that protect access to it.

Marshall’s letter points out, “When New York or California declines to recognize criminal prosecutions or civil judgments against someone accused of breaking abortion laws in another state, they disregard the credibility and integrity of judicial proceedings in that state.”

This initiative aligns with efforts from several Republican-led states looking to extend their authority beyond their borders to pursue individuals who support or seek abortions in other jurisdictions. Marshall’s backing for federal legislation to block the Shield Act reflects his continued stance on reproductive rights, particularly after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Following the Dobbs decision, Alabama’s near-identical abortion ban came into effect, and Marshall’s office moved forward with prosecuting abortion cases within the state.

In a recent interview, he indicated that groups posing as abortion funders could face felony charges, a statement perceived by many as a tactic to intimidate abortion rights organizations and hinder their operations.

For nearly three years, the Yellowhammer Fund has halted its abortion-related services due to concerns about criminal prosecution. In 2023, both the Yellowhammer Fund and the West Alabama Women’s Center filed a lawsuit against Marshall in federal court, claiming his threats infringed on their constitutional rights, including free speech, association, and interstate travel.

The lawsuit was decided in March 2025, with U.S. District Judge Myron Thompson siding with the plaintiffs, prohibiting Marshall from prosecuting those who assist others in accessing legal abortions in different states.

This call for federal action regarding the Shield Act underscores Marshall’s persistent efforts to challenge abortion rights groups and implement legal strategies to restrict access.

The letter concludes, “Rather than allowing pro-abortion states to undermine decisions made in other states regarding abortion and disregard the Constitution, Congress should consider addressing this issue through laws that preempt state shield laws.”