Ban on Abortion Procedure Upheld

A Wisconsin law that bars a type of late-term abortion, carrying a potential penalty of life in prison, is constitutional, a federal judge ruled. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and six physicians had sued the state shortly after the law was enacted more than a year ago, saying it is unconstitutionally vague, with language so broad that it could outlaw other types of abortion. In his ruling, U.S. District Judge John Shabaz said in a Madison, Wis., court that the law, aimed at what critics call “partial-birth abortions,” is not vague. He also held that it does not place an undue burden on women and that the state does have a valid interest in banning the procedure.