Advocates for women's reproductive rights are applauding the Supreme Court decision to temporarily block a Louisiana law that would have closed all but one abortion clinic in the state.

SCOTUS Rules In Favor Of Louisiana Abortion Clinics

On Friday, the justices granted a request from abortion clinics in the Sugar State to block the state's abortion law pending an appeal.

"The Supreme Court has stepped in to preserve women's ability to get the constitutionally-protected health care they need," said Nancy Northrup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, in a press release.

Meanwhile, Louisiana's attorney general Jeff Landry released a statement, saying that "we disagree with the Court's unexplained decision," adding that he would "continue to defend Louisiana's pro-life and pro-woman laws," reports The New York Times.

Louisiana's Anti-Abortion Law

The state clinics petitioned the High Court for an emergency stay after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued a ruling last month that would have closed three of the four remaining abortion clinics in Louisiana. Prior to the ruling, two clinics were already forced to close while another faced imminent closure.

The clinics closed after a Republican-backed state measure passed in 2014 mandating all doctors who provide abortion care to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals.

In Friday's order, Justice Clarence Thomas admitted that he would have denied the application, suggesting that the vote had been 7 to 1. The votes of the other justices, however, were not disclosed.

Anti-Abortion Law in Texas

The ruling comes two days after the Supreme Court heard arguments in the Texas case concerning a similar law.

"Just two days after arguing our case before the Supreme Court to strike down a similar sweeping law in Texas," she Northrup, adding, "we look to the justices to put an end to these sham measures threatening women's rights, health and lives across the U.S."

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