Judge says new Texas abortion restrictions are unconstitutional
Anti-abortion protesters attend the March for Life on January 25, 2013 in Washington, DC. The pro-life gathering is held each year around the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.
A federal judge has ruled that new abortion restrictions passed by the Texas Legislature and set to go into effect on Tuesday are unconstitutional.
The regulations would have required abortion doctors to have admitting privileges within 30 miles of the abortion clinic, limited doctors’ options for pill-induced medical abortions and prevented abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless the mother's health was in danger or the fetus was not viable.
Democratic state Sen. Wendy Davis attempted to block the passage of the law by filibustering for nearly 13 hours at a special legislative session in June, but the GOP-controlled legislature pushed it through in a second special legislative session.
More from GlobalPost: Senator Wendy Davis' filibuster kills Texas abortion bill (VIDEO)
District Judge Lee Yeakel wrote Monday that the changes to the state health and safety code prevented doctors from exercising their rights to do what they think is in their patients’ best interests and unconstitutionally restricted women's access to abortion clinics.
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