Thousands of abortion opponents march to Capitol for ‘Texas Rally for Life’ | KENS 5

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By: Daniel Perreault

“Just because you’re given a difficult diagnosis doesn’t mean that abortion is the only answer,” Cooper said.

Texas has some of the strictest abortion restrictions in the nation. Cooper, who works as a public policy analyst for Texas Alliance for Life, said she doesn’t want to see any expansion of the very narrow exceptions to the state’s near-total abortion ban.

“We don’t want our laws weakened to allow those children to be aborted,” Cooper said. “They deserve to be protected by law, and those mothers deserve to be supported.”

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, who represents Texas, was slated to be the featured speaker with top billing at the rally, but couldn’t make it in person as the Senate has been working through the weekend to vote on President Donald Trump’s cabinet picks. Cornyn sent an audio message that organizers played at the rally. In it, he praised the abortion laws that are on the books in Texas.

“I can say without a doubt that Texas is the most pro-life state in the entire nation,” Cornyn said. “We have set an undeniable example of how to protect those who cannot protect themselves.”

In the early days of the 89th legislative session, there’s been a push among top Republican leaders to clarify when Texas doctors can perform abortions.

San Antonio City Council establishes Reproductive Justice Fund | KENS 5

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By: Hannah Tiede

Anti-abortion advocates say the money should have gone to pregnancy care centers.

“We are tremendously disappointed, but not surprised,” said Amy O’Donnell with Texas Alliance for Life. “What is important to note is that another law was passed, I believe two sessions ago, bans contracts between cities or municipalities and abortion providers and their affiliates. Now, there is somewhat of a loophole there that some of the side logistics funding organizations fall under. We are working to close that loophole because that will address some of what we are seeing with these city budget attempts to fund abortion travel.”

Mayor Ron Nirenberg told KENS 5 the city is complying with state and federal law.

Health care or not? Uncertainty looms locally over abortion care after leaked draft opinion | Kens 5

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By: Sarah Duran

“Abortion is not health care. The body within a woman’s body is not that woman’s body. It’s basic biology,” said Amy O’Donnell of Texas Alliance for Life.

The non profit organization based in Austin was a supporter of the trigger law, which is known as the Human Life Protection Act. In the last budget cycle, the Texas State Legislature approved $100 million for the Alternatives to Abortion Program for the next two, a $20 million increase.

“That goes towards pregnancy health centers, maternity homes, adoption agencies that support women walking through unplanned pregnancies. It’s our goal to educate every woman across the state that they can choose life. They don’t have to walk through an unplanned pregnancy alone,” said O’Donnell.

O’Donnell said their is a ‘vast number’ of pregnancy centers across the state but predicts more will be created if Roe is overturned.