Federal Appeals Court Reviews Texas Abortion Law

A federal appeals court is weighing whether the state of Texas can enforce a law that led to the closing of many abortion clinics.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals didn't indicate how soon it would rule after hearing arguments Monday over a district judge's decision to declare parts of the 2013 law unconstitutional.

Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights sued to block a provision requiring doctors to have admitting privileges near where the abortion is performed. The groups say U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel correctly ruled in October that the provisions place an unconstitutional burden on women's access to abortion.

The 5th Circuit allowed Texas to enforce the law while it appealed the decision.