Spectrum News

The Texas law, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott in May, would ban abortion in the nation’s second-biggest state after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy and is before many women even know they are pregnant.

It asks private citizens to enforce the ban by suing doctors or anyone who helps a woman get an abortion. Among other situations, that would include anyone who drives a woman to a clinic to get an abortion. Under the law, anyone who successfully sues another person would be entitled to at least $10,000.

“This law is extreme, both in terms of the number of people who will be impacted if it goes into effect, and then also by opening the floodgates in our courthouses to these frivolous and very damaging lawsuits that people can file, even when they’re not directly impacted in any way by what somebody’s decision is to seek an abortion,” said said Sarah Wheat, spokesperson for Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas.

“Texas is leading the nation in this regard and we’re gonna have to see how the federal and state courts handle it. We’re not sure if it’s going to work but I will say it’s – we’re hopeful that many babies’ lives will be protected,” said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life.

Anti-abortion advocates say getting the legislation to Gov. Abbott’s desk was a major victory.

The makeup of the court has anti-abortion advocates like Joe Pojman optimistic.

“We think we have more votes on the Supreme Court, more justices who are willing to take a fresh look at the Roe v. Wade precedent and possibly untie the hands of the legislature so they can begin to protect unborn babies from abortion,” said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life.

“I think it’s not just possible, I think it’s reasonably likely that Roe v. Wade will at least be significantly eroded, if not completely overturned. There may very well be a five justice majority to do that now,” said Dale Carpenter, a constitutional law professor at Southern Methodist University.

This legislative session, lawmakers passed bills increasing abortion restrictions in the state, including one that would ban abortions as early as six weeks, which is before most women know they are pregnant.

It’s set to go to the Governor’s desk, where Abbott says he will sign it into law.

“Acting through our elected officials, Texas has shown itself to be a very pro-life state,” said Pojman. “We think that an unborn child is worthy of protection, and that is the right and the responsibility of the state of Texas.”