Judge Blocks Mississippi's Strict New Abortion Law

Temporary ruling will set up bigger legal showdown over 15-week ban
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Mar 20, 2018 12:23 PM CDT
Judge Blocks Mississippi's Strict New Abortion Law
A vehicle passes by the entrance to the Jackson Women's Health Organization clinic in Jackson, Miss., Thursday, March 8, 2018. The facility is the state's only abortion clinic.   (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a new Mississippi law that bans abortion after 15 weeks, the most restrictive abortion law in the United States. US District Judge Carlton Reeves on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order requested by the state's only abortion clinic, per the AP. Dr. Sacheen Carr-Ellis of the Jackson Women's Health Organization said in court papers filed Monday that a woman 15 weeks or more pregnant was scheduled for a Tuesday afternoon abortion at the clinic.

The law and responding challenge set up a confrontation sought by abortion opponents, who are hoping federal courts will ultimately prohibit abortions before a fetus is viable. Current federal law does not. Republican Gov. Phil Bryant signed House Bill 1510 on Monday, and it became law immediately—until Tuesday's ruling.

(More Mississippi stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X