US President Joe Biden's administration called on a federal judge Friday to swiftly block a new law that bans most abortions in Texas and has raised concerns about women's curtailed access to care.
The controversial statute, which went into force on September 1, represents "an open threat to the rule of law," deputy assistant attorney general Brian Netter declared in court arguments in Austin.
The Texas law, the most restrictive of its kind in the country, prohibits abortions as soon as an embryo's heartbeat is detectable, usually at around six weeks of pregnancy, and does not allow exceptions in cases of incest or rape. The Texas law is unique in that it empowers anyone to file lawsuits against a person who has assisted in an abortion, which prompted Netter to accuse state authorities of enabling a regime of "vigilante justice."
The federal government has entered the fray, citing its interest in upholding Americans' constitutional rights.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden administration urges judge to block Texas abortion lawAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday urged a federal judge to block the nation's most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September and sent women racing to get care beyond the borders of the second-most populous state.
Read more »
Federal Judge Questions Texas Abortion Law in Case Filed by Justice DepartmentA federal judge Friday questioned Texas’s defense of a new abortion law that is the most restrictive in the U.S. and which has significantly limited the procedure in the state
Read more »
Remains of migrant found hanging from tree 80 miles from border in Texas'We regularly find deceased migrants in this county, but never anything like this,' a Texas sheriff said.
Read more »
Biden administration urges judge to block Texas abortion lawAUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Biden administration on Friday urged a federal judge to block the nation's most restrictive abortion law, which has banned most abortions in Texas since early September and sent women racing to get care beyond the borders of the second-most populous state.
Read more »