Judge temporarily blocks most restrictive abortion law in US
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The most restrictive abortion law in the United States was in effect less than 24 hours before a federal judge temporarily blocked it Tuesday during what could become a long legal fight between Mississippi's Republican governor and the state's only abortion clinic.
Gov. Phil Bryant on Monday signed a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks' gestation, and it became law immediately. The clinic, Jackson Women's Health Organization, quickly sued, arguing the law is unconstitutional because it bans abortion weeks before a fetus can survive outside the womb.
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeves heard arguments Tuesday before granting the clinic's immediate request for a temporary restraining order.