in

US Judge Temporarily Blocks Enforcement of Texas Abortion Law

US judge Texas
Credit: Unsplash

A US judge has temporarily blocked the new abortion law that was recently passed in Texas. 

District Judge Robert Pitman has granted an emergency motion from the Biden Administration to prevent enforcement of SB.8, while it is still being challenged. 

In an order spanning 113 pages, he said that the law ‘unlawfully prevents women’ from exercising rights that are ‘protected in the US constitution.’

Watch White House Press Secretary answer questions about abortion law in Texas… 

He wrote: “From the moment S.B. 8 went into effect, women have been unlawfully prevented from exercising control over their lives in ways that are protected by the Constitution.

“That other courts may find a way to avoid this conclusion is theirs to decide; this Court will not sanction one more day of this offensive deprivation of such an important right.”

The bill, which has been named SB8, was slammed as one of the most restrictive in the US in terms of its protection of women’s rights. 

It makes abortion illegal as soon as a heartbeat can be detected, which can be as early as six weeks.

This means a woman could be legally prevented from having an abortion before she is even aware that she’s pregnant. 

Billie Eilish Slams Texas Abortion Law During Performance In State

It also bizarrely provides an opportunity for private individuals to bring civil lawsuits against any individual who ‘performed or facilitated’ an illegal abortion. 

In response to the decision, the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said: “The fight has only just begun, both in Texas and in many states across this country where women’s rights are currently under attack.”

A spokesperson for Whole Woman’s Health added: “We breathe a deep sigh of relief. This is the justice we have been seeking for weeks and we are grateful that the court has finally stepped in to curb some of the harm Texans have faced.”

Watch our Video of the Day below… 

Do you have a story for us? If so, email us at [email protected]. All contact will be treated in confidence.

Written by Aimee Walker

Aimee is a senior content editor at IGV who specialises in finding the best original stories, trending topics and entertainment news. She graduated from Birmingham City University with a degree in Media and Communications.