Texas' so-called "trigger law" banning almost all abortions goes into effect today.
The ban passed last year by the GOP-controlled Legislature, was set in motion -- or triggered -- when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June.
The new law makes performing, attempting to perform or inducing an abortion a second-degree felony. If the unborn child dies as a result, the crime becomes a first-degree felony with a possible life sentence. The only exception is if the pregnancy is "life-threatening" to the mother. There is no exception for rape or incest.
A group of abortion rights advocates are fighting back as best they can, filing a federal class-action lawsuit against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and county and district attorneys to try and head off prosecution for helping women travel out of state for abortions.
And President Joe Biden's administration lost a end-run around the law on Wednesday, when a Texas-based federal judge blocked a requirement that emergency medical providers must provide abortion services in certain circumstances, even if not allowed under state law.
No doubt there will be more challenges to come.
Pro-life advocates have fought hard and long looked forward to this day. But they can't rest on their laurels.The fight to protect the unborn isn't