Abortion

Abortion did not become illegal in most states until the mid to late 1800s. But by the 1960s, abortion, like childbirth, had become a safe procedure when performed by a doctor.

In arguments Monday, the court heard challenges from the U.S. Justice Department and abortion providers over the controversial law that has the effect of banning most abortions in Texas.

After a lower court temporarily blocked Texas from enforcing what is essentially a ban on abortions six weeks into pregnancy, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has allowed that ban to continue.

Women's March is helping put on Saturday's protests against Texas' restrictive abortion law, with a flagship march to the Supreme Court planned in Washington, D.C.

A federal judge will decide whether to block Texas' new restrictive abortion law after hearing from Justice Department attorneys and lawyers for the state. He offered no timetable for a decision.

On Dec. 1, the court will hear arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. The Mississippi case tests whether all state laws that ban pre-viability abortions are unconstitutional.

The Justice Department is asking a federal judge to temporarily block the new Texas abortion ban while its lawsuit against the state continues.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said the Texas law clashes with Supreme Court precedent and could be a model for how states could put other constitutional rights in jeopardy.

"Today is a historic day for the rights of all Mexican women," said Supreme Court Chief Justice Arturo Zaldivar on Tuesday.

A new law has gone into effect in Texas that bans most abortions. Other states are likely to try to replicate the law soon. WFAE’s Tommy Tomlinson, in his On My Mind commentary, says the way the new law works sets a dangerous precedent.