Judge Robert Pitman has temporarily struck down the controversial law.

Since its signing back in May, Texas’ extremely strict anti-abortion law has been met on all sides with resistance, from local medical professionals and women’s rights advocates all the way up to the Biden Administration itself. Medical professionals in particular have shared stories of women in lower-income situations that cannot afford to have a procedure outside of Texas, leaving them in uncertain positions. Today, a federal judge has managed to halt this controversial law, at least temporarily.

In a 113-page ruling, US District Judge Robert Pitman of Austin called the law an “offensive deprivation of such an important right,” officially blocking state employees from enforcing it.

“From the moment (the law) went into effect, women have been unlawfully prevented from exercising control over their lives in ways that are protected by the Constitution,” Pitman wrote.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland called Pitman’s ruling “a victory for women in Texas and for the rule of law.”

“It is the foremost responsibility of the Department of Justice to defend the Constitution,” he said. “We will continue to protect constitutional rights against all who would seek to undermine them.”

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that the ruling is “an important step forward toward restoring the constitutional rights of women across the state of Texas.”

“The fight has only just begun, both in Texas and in many states across this country where women’s rights are currently under attack,” Psaki said. “That’s why the President supports codifying Roe v. Wade, why he has directed a whole-of-government response to S.B. 8, and why he will continue to stand side-by-side with women across the country to protect their constitutional rights.”

Texas government officials are expected to appeal the decision, which could once again bring the matter before the Supreme Court.