DOJ exploring options to challenge Texas abortion law: Merrick Garland

The US Justice Department is exploring options to challenge
the Texas law that bans most abortions in the state, and will not tolerate
violence against anyone who is trying to obtain an abortion in the Lone Star state.

Citing a federal law known as the Freedom of Access to
Clinic Entrances Act, Attorney General Merrick Garland said that the Justice
Department would “protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive
health services” under law.

“The department will provide support from federal law
enforcement when an abortion clinic or reproductive health center is under
attack. We will not tolerate violence against those seeking to obtain or
provide reproductive health services, physical obstruction, or property damage in
violation of the FACE Act,” the Associated Press quoted Garland as saying.

Garland also informed that federal prosecutors will
challenge the Texas state law and are still urgently exploring the options to
do so. He said the Justice Department would enforce the federal law “in
order to protect the constitutional rights of women and other persons, including
access to an abortion,” the Associated Press reported.

Justice Department officials have also been in contact with
US attorneys in Texas and the FBI field offices in the state to discuss
enforcing the federal provisions.

The federal law, commonly known as the FACE Act, outlaws
physically obstructing or using the threat of force to intimidate or interfere
with a person seeking reproductive health services. The law also prohibits
damaging property at abortion clinics and other reproductive health centers.

According to the new abortion law in Texas, there can be no
abortions once medical professionals detect cardiac activity. The heartbeat
usually starts around six weeks and according to experts, some women do not
even get to know if they are pregnant. Many states have been blocked by courts from
imposing similar restrictions. The Texas law is different from other such
restrictions because it will not be enforced by the state but private citizens
through lawsuits.