Federal judge orders temporary block against Texas abortion law

A federal judge Wednesday ordered Texas temporarily to suspend the nation's most restrictive abortion ban, saying it violated patients' constitutional rights. 

U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman, a 2014 Obama nominee, issued a temporary restraining order shortly before 9 p.m., according to reports.

The Supreme Court in August allowed the abortion-restricting bill to take effect, citing procedural reasons for not striking it down.

The federal court heard oral arguments last week, as part of a Biden Administration lawsuit challenging the Texas rule. 

The AP reports that Texas officials are likely to seek a swift reversal from the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, which previously allowed the anti-abortion law to go into effect.