Abortion Ban Restraining Order Extended to November

The restraining order against Texas' ban on second trimester abortion has been extended until November.A Whole Women’s Health representative confirmed the restraining order will be in effect until Nov. 2, when the lawsuit brought by Whole Women’s Health and other reproductive rights advocacy groups will now take place.The law, passed by the Legislature this spring, was set to take effect Sept. 1 until U.S. District Court Judge Lee Yeakel issued a restraining order on Aug. 31. The judge's order temporarily blocks enforcement of a ban that limited doctors from using the most common second-trimester abortion procedure, commonly known as "dilate and evacuate." Anti-abortion group have said the procedure is inhumane, while abortion rights groups have said the new law harms low-income women. Attorney General Ken Paxton is expected to appeal the ruling to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Courts already have blocked similar laws in Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. A court challenge also is ongoing in Arkansas.  Continue reading...