Hearing Opens New Round in Texas Abortion Battle

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal judge will hear arguments on whether Texas' strict new abortion limits should be suspended until opponents can contest their legality at a full trial.

Advocacy groups have sued to block an abortion law that threw the Legislature into chaos before it was approved this summer.

It requires doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals to perform abortions, only allows abortions in surgical centers and bans the procedure after 20 weeks. It also limits medical abortions.

The law passed after a Democratic filibuster and massive protests on both sides of the issue at the state Capitol.

U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel is being asked Monday to delay enforcement of the admitting privileges rule and medical-abortion restrictions on constitutional grounds.

Texas attorney general's office argues the law is constitutional.

WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press

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