U.S. Supreme Court will hear challenge to Texas ban on most abortions, but law remains in effect

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a challenge by President Joe Biden’s administration and abortion providers to a restrictive Texas law that imposes a near-total ban on abortion, and set the date for arguments in the case for Nov. 1.

The justices, however, deferred a decision on a request by the administration to block the law while the litigation continues, prompting a dissent from liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor.

“The promise of future adjudication offers cold comfort, however, for Texas women seeking abortion care, who are entitled to relief now,” Sotomayor wrote.

The Texas measure, one of a series of restrictive