AUSTIN, Texas (AP) – The Biden administration says it will turn next to the U.S. Supreme Court in its attempt to halt a Texas law that has banned most abortions since September.
The announcement Friday by the Justice Department comes after an appeals court again left in place the law that bans abortions once cardiac activity is detected.
That is usually around six weeks and before some women know they are pregnant. The Texas law is the nation’s biggest curb to abortion in nearly 50 years. Last month, the Supreme Court allowed the law to take effect but did so without ruling on whether it is constitutional.
On Thursday night, a federal appeals court decided to allow Texas to continue banning most abortions.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has now allowed the law to proceed three times since August. The Texas law allows private citizens to collect at least $10,000 in damages if they bring a successful lawsuit against an abortion provider who violates the restrictions.