Appeals court says Texas can enforce abortion law

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is praising a federal appeals court decision allowing his state to enforce a new abortion law.

The law requires doctors to complete a sonogram before performing an abortion and forces doctors to show the sonogram image to the woman, make audible the fetal heartbeat and to explain the presence of any organs or limbs.

Supporters say the law is necessary to help a woman understand what an abortion entails. A group of doctors brought suit to block the law, saying it violated their right to free speech.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals said Tuesday the law can be enforced for now.

Perry, who supports a ban on all abortions, says the law will help prevent them.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)Appeals court says Texas can enforce abortion law