Texas six-week abortion ban in effect after U.S. Supreme Court stays silent

Washington — A controversial Texas law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy went into effect at midnight after the U.S. Supreme Court didn't issue a ruling on it. A group of pro-abortion rights groups and providers had asked the high court on Monday to block it.

The law is one of the nation's most restrictive, prohibiting nearly all abortions in the state, the abortion rights groups warned.  In addition to outlawing abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, the measure allows private citizens to bring civil lawsuits against anyone who provides an abortion after six weeks or helps a woman access the procedure, such as a friend who drives a woman to obtain an abortion, or clinic staff. Those found in violation of the law are required to pay at least $10,000 to the person who successfully brought the suit.