Abortion providers ask Supreme Court to block Texas six-week abortion ban

Washington — A group of pro-abortion advocates and providers asked the Supreme Court on Monday to block a controversial law in Texas banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy.

The law, which is set to take effect Wednesday, would be one of the nation's most restrictive and prohibit nearly all abortions in the state if allowed to go forward, the abortion rights groups warned.  In addition to outlawing abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, the measure also allows private citizens to bring civil lawsuits against anyone who provides an abortion after six weeks or helps a woman access such procedures, such as a friend who drives a woman to obtain an abortion or clinic staff. Those found to be in violation of the Texas law are required to pay at least $10,000 to the person who successfully brought the suit.