Catholics pray outside the state Capitol in Austin this summer as Texas legislators considered measures restricting abortion. The law prohibiting abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy was signed by Gov. Rick Perry July 17. (CNS photo/Reuters)
Texas Catholic Staff
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has left intact a Texas law requiring abortion practitioners to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their abortion clinic. The law also bans abortions after 20 weeks, except in cases where the mother’s health is in danger.
The bill, SB 5, was first introduced on June 11 and was passed by the Texas Senate seven days later, then again by the House on June 21st. Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican, signed the bill into law on July 18.
The bill’s passage was not without contentious debate from both sides of the aisle, culminating in a 13-hour filibuster by Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth. Immediately after the law was passed and signed by Governor Perry, opponents appealed to U.S District Court Judge Lee Yeakel in Austin, who subsequently blocked the portion of the law that required doctors to have hospital admitting privileges within 30 miles of their abortion clinic. On Oct. 31, that ruling was overturned by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Some material from this story was used from the Associated Press and the Dallas Morning News.
