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Fifth Circuit Upholds Texas Pro-life Law

CBN

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The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, a panel consisting of all women, upheld a Texas law enacted last summer, protecting women and unborn children from unprincipled abortion providers.
 
The law requires adherence to Food and Drug Administration guidelines for administering abortion pills. It also requires abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.
 
Experts say the decision will most likely be appealed by Planned Parenthood and could go to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Will this case go all the way to the Supreme Court? Alison Howard of Concerned Women for America, explains what's next, on CBN Newswatch, March 28.
 
Meanwhile, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List president, praised the 5th Circuit for upholding the legislation that requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
 
"We applaud the 5th Circuit Court for upholding this common sense measure to safeguard women from unscrupulous abortionists," she said.

"From Kermit Gosnell's 'house of horrors' to Planned Parenthood's 'meat market style' abortions, last year the nation's eyes were opened to the tragic reality of what goes on inside America's abortion facilities," she continued.
 
Last summer the SBA List partnered with pro-life organizations, including Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, Concerned Women for America of Texas, and 40 Days for Life, to pass the law.

Amy Hagstrom Miller, CEO of Whole Woman's Health, which closed two Texas clinics this month because of the restrictions, was dismayed but not surprised by the ruling.
 
"Texas has left thousands of women and families behind in its crusade to end safe abortion by any means necessary and they are using women's bodies and women's lives in a political football game," Hagstrom Miller said in a statement.

Texas Governor Rick Perry, who helped lobby for the bill, applauded the decision.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott, who defended the law in court was also pleased by the ruling.

"This unanimous decision is a vindication of the careful deliberation by the Texas Legislature to craft a law to protect the health and safety of Texas women," Abbott said.

Other aspects of the new rules, including a requirement that all procedures take place in a surgical facility, are set to begin in September, though they may also be challenged in court.

 

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