WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – On Friday, lobby groups representing Facebook (NASDAQ;), Twitter (NYSE:), Google(NASDAQ:) as well as other tech companies filed an urgent request to the U.S. Supreme Court seeking to stop a Texas law prohibiting large social media platforms like Twitter from banning users based upon their political opinions.

When the 5th U.S.. entered into force, Texas’ law came into effect. Circuit Court of Appeals approved the request by the state for a stay of a District Judge’s injunction that was blocking the law.

This law prohibits social media platforms with over 50 million users per month from banning their members on the basis of political opinions and forces them to disclose publicly how they manage content.

In September, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (a Republican) signed it into law.

Internet lobbying groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association filed a lawsuit against the measure, and U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman in Austin, Texas, issued a preliminary injunction in December.

Pitman found that social media companies would be harmed by the law, which violated the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Tech groups requested the Supreme Court in an emergency order to allow the District Court’s thoughtful reasoning to be maintained while an orderly appellate proceeding takes place.