Federal judge halts Texas’ latest anti-abortion law
AUSTIN, Texas — A federal judge late Thursday temporarily blocked Texas from enforcing new anti-abortion measures Gov. Greg Abbott signed in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down more sweeping abortion limits.
The order by Austin-based U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel stops Texas from banning a commonly used second trimester abortion procedure, known as dilation and evacuation, which abortion providers say rarely results in complications. Courts already have blocked similar laws in Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. A court challenge also is ongoing in Arkansas.
The Texas version was approved by the Republican-controlled state Legislature this session, signed by Abbott in May and had been set to take effect Friday. Texas is expected to appeal.
Yeakel issued a restraining order and will hear further argument on whether the law is unconstitutional because it could place women undergoing abortions at greater risk. He set a Sept. 14 hearing for arguments on the merits of continuing an injunction from the abortion rights’ groups that challenged the law and from the Office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.