A spokeswoman for Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says the Republican is disappointed by a judge's decision to block a new state law that bans a specific abortion procedure.
The governor is a strong abortion opponent. His spokeswoman, Eileen Hawley, released a statement saying Brownback is committed to "supporting a culture of life."
Hawley called Kansas a "pro-life state" and said, "Kansas law should protect human dignity for all Kansans."
The law bans a common procedure used during second-trimester abortions that opponents describe as dismembering a fetus. The law was scheduled to take effect next week.
Shawnee County District Judge Larry Hendricks ruled that there's a substantial likelihood that the ban would create an undue burden for women seeking abortions.
His order will stay in effect while a lawsuit challenging the ban proceeds.
