A new, controversial law in Texas that bans most abortions in the state went into effect Wednesday. The law, which prohibits the procedure after about six weeks of pregnancy, is one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation. Abortion rights advocates were hoping the U.S. Supreme Court would act on an emergency appeal to put the law on hold. But so far the high court has remained mum. Republican Gov. Gregg Abbott signed the legislation, known as the "fetal heartbeat" bill, into law in May. It bans abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy and before many people realize they are pregnant. There are no exemptions in cases of rape or incest. Abortion providers say the legislation would restrict 85% of abortion procedures in Texas. The law is one of the most direct challenges on the boundaries of the U.S. Supreme Court's 1973 landmark Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Similar six-week abortion laws in Georgia, Kentucky and other states have been blocked by federal courts. The Texas law is different from other restrictive abortion laws because instead of relying on officials to enforce the law, private citizens are allowed to sue abortion providers and anyone involved in "aiding and abetting" abortions. This could include anyone driving a person to an abortion clinic, among other situations. Anyone who is successful in suing is entitled to $10,000, according to the law. Abortion rights advocates say the law is written in a way to prevent federal courts from striking it down, in part because it’s hard to know whom to sue. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule in the Texas matter on an emergency basis. This comes as the high court is also weighing a case challenging Mississippi's ban on most abortions after 15 weeks. #abortion #texas #supremecourt #news