Federal Court Mulling Delay of Texas Abortion Law

[FuzzyLumpkins]

An injunction against the provisions that would shut down the vast majority of clinics is on the line.

After a summer filibuster only managed to temporarily delay passage of tough new Texas abortion restrictions, advocacy groups turned to a federal judge Monday in their latest attempt to derail the law before it takes effect next week.

Planned Parenthood and other abortion rights organizations have sued to block key portions a new law that threw the Legislature into chaos before it was approved.

Beginning Oct. 29, it requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges within 30 miles of the clinic, that they follow strict instructions for pill-induced medical abortions and only perform abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy if health of the mother is in danger or the fetus is not viable.

The law passed the GOP-controlled Legislature despite marathon speech in June by Democratic Rep. Wendy Davis, who is now running for governor and amid massive protests on both sides of the issue at the state Capitol.

Austin-based U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel has been asked to delay enforcement of the admitting privileges rule and medical-abortion restrictions. Federal judges in other states have found problems with similar provisions. If Yeakel finds the law uncons utional, though, Attorney General Greg Abbott — a Republican also running for governor — will appeal that decision to the conservative New Orleans-based court.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/f...n-law-20640389

[Winehole23]

A federal judge has ruled that new abortion restrictions passed by the Texas Legislature are uncons utional and should not take effect as planned on Tuesday.District Judge Lee Yeakel issued his decision Monday following a three-day trial over whether the state can restrict when, where and how women obtain abortions in Texas.

http://www.kxan.com/news/texas/judge...s-abortion-law

[boutons_deux]

Wendy Davis for Governor!