Federal Judge Declares Texas Abortion Restrictions Unconstitutional

A federal judge has declared that recently passed Texas abortion restrictions, which are some of the strictest in the country, are unconstitutional, the Associated Press reports.

The judge has blocked enforcement of the laws, which were passed in July despite the efforts of State Sen. Wendy Davis (D) and her epic 13-hour filibuster.

The bill was revived weeks after Davis' filibuster and approved by the Texas Senate.

The bill would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy while creating new regulations for abortion clinics and doctors. Critics of the bill said it would have shut most abortion clinics in Texas. Supporters said it would have improved women's health.