Justices block La. abortion measure

WASHINGTON – A deeply divided Supreme Court on Thursday temporarily blocked abortion restrictions in Louisiana that critics complained were virtually identical to those struck down by the justices in 2016.

Although the court’s new conservative majority may be poised to uphold more limits on abortion in the future, the Louisiana law’s similarity to one the justices thwarted in Texas less than three years ago apparently sealed its fate, at least for now.

The court could still uphold the law after further review, giving President Donald Trump something to show for his 2016 pledge to appoint “pro-life justices.”

The action gave abortion rights proponents, as well as women seeking procedures, a reprieve from a law that critics said threatened to leave just one abortion clinic and provider in business to serve an estimated 10,000 women.

Chief Justice John Roberts joined the court’s four liberals in blocking the law. Four conservatives objected, and new Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh said the law should be implemented now so that both sides can find out how many abortion clinics and providers survive the new restrictions.

The Louisiana law requires abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.