Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas Abortion Clinic Regulations

WASHINGTON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- The Supreme Court has struck down Texas' widely replicated regulation of abortion clinics in the court's biggest abortion case in nearly a quarter century.

The justices voted 5-3 Monday in favor of Texas clinics that protested the regulations as a thinly veiled attempt to make it harder for women to get an abortion in the nation's second-most populous state.

Justice Stephen Breyer's majority opinion for the court held that the regulations are medically unnecessary and unconstitutionally limit a woman's right to an abortion.

Justice Anthony Kennedy was the swing vote, siding with the court's liberal block, CBS2's Paula Reid reported. While justices Samuel Alito, John Roberts and Clarence Thomas dissented.

Outside the courthouse, cheers erupted among abortion rights supporters, who also shouted down their opponents who expressed disappointment with the ruling.

Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton responded to the ruling on Twitter, saying the decision is "a victory for women in Texas and across America" but said in another tweet, "This fight isn't over: The next president has to protect women's health."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo released statements applauding the ruling.

"The Texas laws struck down today would have turned back the clock on women's rights and endangered their lives and health," de Blasio said. "Reproductive health services are a right for all, not a privilege for the few. At a time when many local governments are working to reduce the number of reproductive health clinics, we're deeply encouraged to see the highest court in the land stand up for women."

"Today's ruling correctly asserts that rights in name only are meaningless and therefore wisely rejected Texas' empty and hollow attempt to undermine a woman's choice through draconian laws," Cuomo said. "We cannot strip away the fundamental right to choose. This ruling not only protects women's health, but places the court on the right side of history and advances freedom and equality for years to come."

Texas had argued that its 2013 law and subsequent regulations were needed to protect women's health, but opponents argued the real intent was to force clinics to close.

The rules required doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and forced clinics to meet hospital-like standards for outpatient surgery.

"This also lays the groundwork, perhaps, for some of the clinics who closed because of the admitting privileges requirement to re-open their doors," Rebecca Robertson of the ACLU said.

The White House praised the Supreme Court's first major opinion on abortion in nearly 25 years.

"It underscores the reproductive freedom of women across the country," Deputy White House Press Secretary Eric Schultz said.

The Texas Attorney General issued a statement saying it is unfortunate that the court has taken the ability to protect women's health out of the hands of Texas citizens and their elected representatives.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called the ruling devastating.

"For the life of me I can't imagine the women on the court, or the men on the court, who said we think somehow or another if you want an abortion you deserve less standards than if you were getting treated for a broken leg," Patrick said.

Texas lawmakers said they will pour over the decision and revisit the issue in a way the Supreme Court will approve.

The ruling doesn't affect only Texas. Other states have or were considering similar legislation, Reid reported.

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