As Texas abortion law takes effect, advocates await word from Supreme Court

The most restrictive abortion law in the nation took effect in Texas early Wednesday as the Supreme Court remained silent on an emergency appeal from abortion providers.

The most restrictive abortion law in the nation took effect in Texas early Wednesday, effectively barring the procedure across the state, as the U.S. Supreme Court remained silent on an emergency request from women’s health groups to block the measure while legal challenges continue. Texas becomes the first and only state in the country to outlaw abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. Twelve other states have passed similar laws that have not yet taken effect due to legal challenges. Abortion providers across Texas had said the measure would "immediately and catastrophically" prevent care for "at least 85%" of Texas abortion patients. Several clinics reported full waiting rooms up until the midnight deadline. "Our clinic staff saw patients until 11:56 last night, just 3 minutes before the 6 week abortion ban went into effect in Texas," Whole Women’s Health, a top abortion provider in Texas, posted to Twitter.