Federal appeals court lets Texas continue banning most abortions

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday night that Texas’ fetal heartbeat law banning abortions in the state as early as six weeks can remain in effect while President Biden’s Justice Department challenges its legality. 

In a 2-1 move, the three-judge panel granted Texas’ request to halt an injunction put into place by a district court judge earlier this month. 

Judge James Ho, a Trump appointee, and Judge Catharina Haynes, a Bush appointee, voted to keep the law in place for now, while Judge Carl Stewart, a Clinton appointee, dissented.