Has Dan Patrick loosened his conservative ties? Some of his staunchest supporters say yes | Dallas Morning News

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By: Lauren McGaughey

Joe Pojman, executive director of the anti-abortion group Texas Alliance for Life, pointed out that 10 percent of Patrick’s 30 priority bills would restrict abortion. Notably, one of the anti-abortion bills is being carried by a Democrat. Sen. Eddie Lucio of Brownsville wants women to receive information about adoption and “the characteristics of an unborn child” before receiving an abortion.

“We do not agree with Empower Texans,” Pojman told The News. “Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick continues to be extremely committed to the life issue. We are impressed and pleased at his dedication to passing substantial pro-life bills, as he has been in previous sessions.”

Could having Brett Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court affect abortion laws in Texas? | The Dallas Morning News

By: Brianna Stone

It would take five Supreme Court votes to overturn the ruling. Kavanaugh could be the fifth, though Texas Alliance for Life director Joe Pojman said he doesn’t believe Roe will be overturned.

“But there is a good chance, if other questions came before the Supreme Court, Kavanaugh could help us prevail on issues we have not in the past,” Pojman said.

In 2016, the Supreme Court struck down a Texas law that would require abortion clinics to meet surgical-center standards and require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.

Senate Bill 8, the major abortion bill of last year’s legislative session, is still being challenged in the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The law would require fetal remains from abortions and miscarriages to be cremated or buried and outlaw a common second-trimester procedure, dilation and evacuation, which abortion opponents refer to as as “dismemberment” abortion.

Pojman said he believes Kavanaugh could help uphold these laws if they come before the Supreme Court.

“We don’t expect Roe to be overturned anytime soon, but we hope that sometime in the future the precedent will change to protect unborn children,” Pojman said.