Supreme Court allows new Texas abortion law to stand, in 5-4 decision

The  Supreme Court overnight allowed a Texas law that bans most abortions after six weeks to remain in force.

The high court voted 5-4 to deny an emergency appeal from abortion providers and others trying to block enforcement of the law that went into effect Wednesday, according to the Associated Press.

However, the jurists did not rule on the constitutionality of the new law. They announced their decision shortly before midnight Wednesday.

Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by President George W. Bush, was among the four justices who cast the dissenting votes. 

The Texas law, signed in May by GOP Gov. Greg Abbott, prohibits abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, usually at about six weeks. 

It is the strictest law against abortion rights in the United States since the high court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision in 1973, the wire service also reports.