Justices heard oral arguments on two cases involving partial birth abortions. At 10 a.m. the justices heard arguments in Gonzales v. Carhart, et al.. At 11 a.m., they heard Gonzales v. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, et al. The Court will decide the constitutionality of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003. It prohibits a doctor from knowingly performing a partial-birth abortion. The act contains an exception for cases in which an abortion is necessary to preserve the life of the mother, but no exception for the health of the mother. Congress made factual findings before passing the act, including that a partial-birth abortion is never medically necessary to preserve the health of the mother.

Priscilla Smith argued for physicians, including Leroy Carhart. Eve Gartner and Therese Stewart argued for Planned Parenthood.

The U.S. Supreme Court does not permit cameras in its proceedings. This video features audio with still picture images of the participants.