The federal government has standing to sue over Texas’ restriction abortion law, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, when he blocked the law as “flagrantly unconstitutional.”
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman of the Western District of Texas enjoined enforcement of the law, known as SB 8, in a decision Wednesday. His preliminary injunction bans the state of Texas and its agents—including state court judges and court clerks—from accepting and hearing lawsuits seeking damages under the law.
Pitman ruled in a suit filed in September by the U.S. Department of Justice. The law at issue bans abortions in Texas after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which happens at about six weeks of pregnancy.
