Six months in, “no end in sight” for Texas’ new abortion law | Texas Tribune

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By: BY ELEANOR KLIBANOFF

Abortion opponents have cheered the decreased access to the procedure in Texas, while lamenting the fact that pregnant patients continue to find ways to terminate their pregnancies.

“We recognize that women in Texas can elect to go out of state for abortions, but it’s our hope that they will choose life and access the amazing programs that we have in our state to provide support and care for them and their child,” said Amy O’Donnell, chief communications officer for Texas Alliance for Life.

The state has invested heavily in the Alternatives to Abortion program, which funnels money to crisis pregnancy centers across the state.

Demand for abortion-inducing medication spiked after Texas’ near-total ban on the procedure | Texas Tribune

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By: ELEANOR KLIBANOFF

A spokesperson for the anti-abortion group Texas Alliance for Life said the organization is looking into ways to pursue legal action against international or out-of-state groups like Aid Access.

“It is concerning to us to see people try to find ways to work around the law,” the spokesperson, Amy O’Donnell, said. “We believe it’s significantly important for girls and women to see a physician in person before obtaining chemical abortion drugs.”

But as abortion access has narrowed in Texas, many providers say they are hearing from patients who feel that accessing this medication outside of the health care system is worth a potential risk.

“Every constitutional right is now at risk”: Legal experts warn Supreme Court action on Texas abortion law could lead to copycats | Texas Tribune

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By: JAMES BARRAGÁN AND CASSANDRA POLLOCK

Still, even some groups aligned with the anti-abortion movement say they have concerns about the enforcement mechanism in the state’s law. Joe Pojman, executive director for Texas Alliance for Life, said the group — which is “very pleased with the effect of the law” — does have concerns that its enforcement mechanism could be used in future state laws that could involve the First Amendment.

“Because some state might try to pass a law that … might create a right for private citizens to sue anyone who talks to a woman entering an abortion facility,” he said. “That’s a frightening prospect to us. I don’t know of any state that’s considering it. But it seems like that would be possible if this type of citizen enforcement is allowed to continue.”

Why “heartbeat bill” is a misleading name for Texas’ near-total abortion ban | The Texas Tribune

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By: BETHANY IRVINE

Anti-abortion groups and conservative leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have seized on the the imagery of a heartbeat when describing the law.

In a tweet, Texas Alliance for Life, an anti-abortion group based in Austin, posted a photo of its members with Abbott from the bill signing, holding up both hands to create a symbolic heart.

“Despite numerous legal challenges, The Texas Heartbeat Act, signed by pro-life @GovAbbott, went into effect today. We celebrate the lives of unborn children who will be protected from abortion as a result,” the tweet said.

Former state Rep. John Wray vying for old seat in Tuesday special election | Texas Tribune

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By: PATRICK SVITEK

In a sign of the desire by Wray’s side to distinguish him as the frontrunner, the pro-Wray Texas Alliance for Life has sent out a mailer comparing Wray to a scrum of faceless competitors. The mailer suggests his opponents jumped in the race “at the last minute” to create confusion and cause a runoff that would not fill the seat until after the special session, comparing the alleged obstruction to that of the quorum-breaking House Democrats. The mailer has especially miffed supporters of Harrison, who did not enter the race at the 11th hour but a few days before the filing deadline.