Abortion debate ramps up in states as Congress deadlocks | CBS NEWS

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By: BY JULIE ROVNER

Those measures could get lost in the shuffle of the state’s frantic 140-day, every-other-year session, if legislative leaders don’t consider them a priority. The state’s trigger law banning almost all abortions that went into effect last year “appears to be working very well,” said Joe Pojman, founder and executive director of Texas Alliance for Life, an anti-abortion group. In August 2022, three abortions were documented in the state, down from more 5,700 reported during the same month a year earlier, according to the most recent state data.

The top state House Republican said his priority is boosting support for new moms, for example, by extending postpartum Medicaid coverage to 12 months.

It’s “an opportunity for the Texas House to focus more than ever on supporting mothers and children,” said Republican House Speaker Dade Phelan.

Leaked draft leaves both sides awaiting new U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade | CBS AUSTIN

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By: Fred Cantu

Pro-life groups saw it as the end of the line for a law they believe protected unborn children since 1854. Joe Pojman with Texas Alliance for Life adds, “It made abortion legal in Texas and in all the other states, legal throughout the entire 9 months of pregnancy.”
But others saw the high court’s ruling as a new beginning for women.

Dyana Limon-Mercado with Planned Parenthood Texas Votes explains, “When you think about the ways certain communities’ rights to their own bodies, to their own labor, to their own futures have been restricted over the history of America, the decision around Roe v. Wade was fundamental to guaranteeing that right, particularly to women who become pregnant.”

How victims of domestic abuse are impacted by Roe v Wade overturn | CBS DFW

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By: BY CAROLINE VANDERGRIFF

“Violence is not a solution to violence, and we consider abortion to very much be a violent act,” said Amy O’Donnell, communications director for Texas Alliance for Life.

O’Donnell pointed to the state’s Alternatives to Abortion program, which is allotted more than $100 million to crisis pregnancy centers, maternity homes, and adoption agencies, as a resource to help women experiencing domestic violence.

“As imperfect as our systems are, the state of Texas does have a responsibility, as well as the pro-life movement, to do everything possible to help any woman in a domestic violence situation or a rape/incest situation and her unborn child to get out of any abusive situations and move forward and support them in choosing life,” O’Donnell said.

Advocates want victims to know the recent Supreme Court ruling doesn’t change the fact that they still have options.

“Survivors shouldn’t believe the lie that help is not available to them, because it is,” Shetter said.

The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233. Those looking for help can also call or text the Genesis Women’s Shelter hotline at 214-946-4357. You can reach One Safe Place at 817-916-4323.

Federal appeals court puts a stop to legal challenge on Texas abortion law SB 8 | CBS Austin

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By: Lindsey Ragas

We reached out to those for and against abortion.

“It’s a big victory for the pro-life side. It’s a big victory for the Texas Heartbeat Act. It means that this law is essentially going to be in effect indefinitely unless some other challenges comes,” Joe Pojman, Executive Director of Texas Alliance for Life.

We did not hear back from pro-choice organizations by the deadline.

Abortion access supporters, opponents weigh in on SCOTUS ruling | CBS Austin

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By: Melanie Torre

Meanwhile, opponents of abortion access are hoping to achieve the opposite.

“We’re putting a lot of hope in an entirely separate law and a separate court case,” said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life. Pojman is talking about is Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization—another case before the U.S. Supreme Court challenging a Mississippi law banning abortion at 15 weeks.

“If they rule to completely overturn Roe v. Wade, or partly overturn it, Texas has another law that the legislature passed and the governor signed last spring,” said Pojman.

Texas’s Human Life Protection Act would be triggered into effect in the event Roe v. Wade is overturned. The act would close the six-week window currently part of the state’s SB 8 and essentially outlaw any abortion procedure.