The US Supreme Court said it will rule on whether the federal government can ban some abortion procedures, a case that could show if the high court reshaped by President George W Bush will restrict abortion rights.
The justices agreed to decide whether the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act that Mr Bush signed into law in 2003 is unconstitutional because it lacks an exception to protect the health of a pregnant woman.
In taking the case, the high court will again be tackling one of the most contentious issues it has faced since its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling in 1973 that women have a constitutional right to abortion.
The law represents the first nationwide ban on an abortion procedure since the 1973 ruling. The case has the potential to mark a turning point in abortion law for the court, which struck down a similar Nebraska law by a 5-4 vote in 2000.
The court's action was announced with new Justice Samuel Alito joining Chief Justice John Roberts on the bench of the nine-member court. Abortion was a central issue in the Senate confirmation hearings for Alito and Roberts.
The conservative Alito, Bush's second pick for the high court confirmed in the past year, replaced Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who cast the decisive vote striking down the Nebraska law.
Abortion rights groups expressed concern.
"Today's action means the core principle of protecting women's health as guaranteed by Roe v. Wade is in clear and present danger," said Nancy Keenan of NARAL Pro-Choice America.