The case was considered a test for the Supreme Court to the right under President Donald Trump (AFP Photo/MANDEL NGAN) |
Washington (AFP) - The US Supreme Court on Thursday blocked a Louisiana law that critics say would limit access to abortion in the southern state.
The
decision was made by a narrow majority -- 5 votes to 4 -- with Chief Justice
John Roberts joining the court's progressive justices to block the legislation,
which would have taken effect Friday.
It was
considered a test for the high court, swung to the right under President Donald
Trump.
The law
would require doctors at Louisiana's abortion clinics to have admitting
privileges at a hospital less than 50 kilometers (30 miles) away.
According
to pro-choice advocates, that is too restrictive -- leaving only one doctor
able to perform the procedure in the whole state.
But the
state of Louisiana argued that due to risks of complications, it was vital to
be able to transfer patients to neighboring hospitals.
That
convinced an appeals court, which after years of hearings, allowed the law to
finally come into force this week.
But those
challenging it filed an emergency brief in the Supreme Court asking for it to
block the law as they sought an appeal.
They argued
that even if they were to win later, the impact of the law coming into effect
would be irreversible and closed clinics would not be able to reopen.
In doing
so, they highlighted a similar law in Texas that the Supreme Court in 2016
found to be unconstitutional.
The law was
backed by conservative judges Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh -- both picked
by President Donald Trump.
Two years
ago, Chief Justice Roberts voted to uphold the law in Texas. But with his vote
on Thursday, he brought new balance to the court.
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