Federal Judge Temporarily Blocks Texas Law Banning Most Abortions

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new Texas law that would have banned most abortions in the state. The law, known as SB 8, allows private citizens to sue anyone who aids or performs an abortion after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The judge’s decision came after a coalition of abortion providers sued Texas officials, arguing that the law was unconstitutional.