Crime | Texas Supreme Court Won't Block Abortion Law in Texas It keeps restrictions in effect as lower court considers case By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Nov 19, 2013 5:24 PM CST Copied A protester holds a rosary as he prays outside a Planned Parenthood clinic in San Antonio last month. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) A divided Supreme Court is allowing the state of Texas to continue enforcing abortion restrictions that opponents say have led more than a third of the state's clinics to stop providing abortions. The justices voted 5-4 today to leave in effect a provision requiring doctors who perform abortions in clinics to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. The decision means the rule stays in place as the case plays out in the lower courts. The court's conservative majority refused the plea of Planned Parenthood and several Texas abortion clinics to overturn a preliminary federal appeals court ruling that allowed the provision to take effect. The case remains on appeal to the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. That court is expected to hear arguments in January, and the law will remain in effect at least until then. Read These Next Photographer denies close-up shots were attacks on Trump figures. Cartoonist Scott Adams paralyzed amid a battle with cancer. Final text from NASCAR driver's wife is devastating to read. An early Christmas gift to federal workers, from the president. Report an error