Federal appeals court keeps Texas abortion ban in place.
A pro-choice demonstrator stands outside the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 1, 2021.(Photo: The Christian Post/Nicole Alcindor)
(CP) A federal appeals court has kept Texas' heartbeat abortion ban in place and sent the lawsuit against the legislation to the Republican-controlled state supreme court, a move celebrated by pro-life activists and opposed by abortion-rights proponents.
A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled 2-1 on Monday to send abortion clinics' challenge against the Texas Heartbeat Act passed last year to the Texas Supreme Court, which will likely allow the law to remain in effect for months before a ruling is handed down.
Circuit Judge Edith H. Jones, a Reagan appointee, authored the majority opinion stating that "the federal courts are bound by an authoritative determination of state law by the state's highest court." CT.
