The Texas Supreme Court on Friday blocked a lower court ruling that allowed some abortions. The decision is the latest development in weeks for the state of Texas. On Friday, June 24, a majority of the US Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, ending constitutionally protected abortion rights across the country. Mahayana Landowne, of Brooklyn, New York, wears a ‘Lady Justice’ costume as she walks past the Supreme Court during an abortion rights protest, Thursday, June 30, 2022, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) The ruling resulted in so-called “trigger laws” taking effect in nearly two dozen states. TEXAS ABORTION BAN TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY JUDGE One of those laws, signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, prevented abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy. The law is commonly referred to as the “heartbeat law” as it prohibits abortions once a heartbeat is detected in a fetus. Abortion providers across Texas were subsequently forced to cancel abortion procedures and notify those who had abortion appointments that they were unable to provide the service. Abortion rights protesters and an anti-abortion protester argue after a reproductive freedom rally in Austin, Texas, Sunday, June 26, 2022. (Alex Scott/Bloomberg via Getty Images) Almost immediately after the law went into effect, however, some abortion providers rushed to keep the practice legal. WHAT DOES THE OVERTURN OF ROE V. WADE MEAN? EFFECTS OF THE SUPREME COURT DECISION And their efforts were initially successful when a Houston judge issued an order earlier this week reassuring doctors and abortion providers that they would still be allowed to continue performing abortions. Abortion rights protesters gather near the State Capitol in Austin, Texas, June 25, 2022. (SUZANNE CORDEIRO/AFP via Getty Images) But on Friday, abortions were banned again — for the second time in a week — when the Texas Supreme Court temporarily blocked the lower court’s ruling. ROE V. WADE SUPREME COURT DECISION: READ WOMEN’S HEALTH DOBBS V. JACKSON DECISION Legal battles over abortion have erupted in several other states in the past week as state and local governments navigate a post-Roe world. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The Texas Supreme Court’s decision is pending a hearing scheduled for later this month. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
