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Texas Asks Court For Permission To Close Most Abortion Clinics

  The state of Texas has asked a federal appeals court for an order that would let the state close 13 of 20 abortion clinics operating there.

Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell on Friday asked a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans to block a lower court ruling that found Texas' new abortion restrictions are unconstitutional while it considers the state's appeal.

Abortion clinics attorney Stephanie Toti say the order mandating that the clinics serve as surgical centers would make it difficult for many Texas women to obtain abortions.

She said she hopes the court will find that damage to the state's interest, if the ruling remains in effect during appeal, would be less than the difficulties for women seeking abortions.

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