The law was brought in in May.
A federal appeals court in the US has ruled that the state of Texas can resume its ban on most abortion.
This comes two days after a different court suspended the ban, which bans abortion up until 6 weeks.
The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit based in New Orleans, Louisiana has temporarily set aside Wednesday’s ruling after some clinics in Texas began offering the service again.
The law has banned most abortions in the country’s second-biggest state since September, banning them until a foetal heartbeat was detected.
US District Judge Robert Pitman made the order on Wednesday, October 6th.
Pitman said Senate Bill 8 denies people of their constitutional right to an abortion.
He commented: “From the moment SB 8 went into effect, women have been unlawfully prevented from exercising control over their lives in ways that are protected by the Constitution.”
“That other courts may find a way to avoid this conclusion is theirs to decide; this Court will not sanction one more day of this offensive deprivation of such an important right,” Judge Pitman added.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, has now appealed that decision and it was granted on Friday evening.
“Great news tonight, The Fifth Circuit has granted an administrative stay on #SB8,” Paxton tweeted shortly after the ruling.”I will fight federal overreach at every turn.”
Republican Governor Greg Abbott signed the law in May.
Great news tonight, The Fifth Circuit has granted an administrative stay on #SB8. I will fight federal overreach at every turn. https://t.co/Mrfj3lt2ix
— Attorney General Ken Paxton (@KenPaxtonTX) October 9, 2021
Planned Parenthood said there was an 80% decrease in patients since the bill was introduced.
Neighbouring states have noticed an increase in women seeking abortion services.
Campaigners say other women are being forced to carry their pregnancies to term because of the law.
The Biden administration said the law is an “offensive deprivation” of women’s rights.
“A state may not ban abortions at six weeks. Texas knew this, but it wanted a six-week ban anyway, so the state resorted to an unprecedented scheme of vigilante justice that was designed to scare abortion providers and others who might help women exercise their constitutional rights,” Justice Department lawyer Brian Netter stated.
