By: Daniel Friend
Texas Alliance for Life also noted the order on social media, asking anyone aware of violations of the order to send documentation to them.
Following Abbott’s executive order, it remained unclear if abortions would need to be postponed, given the exemption in the order for non-essential procedures provided that they “would not deplete the hospital capacity or the personal protective equipment needed to cope with the COVID-19 disaster.”
By: DANIEL FRIEND
The rally in Austin was organized by the Texas Alliance for Life, with several other Christian and pro-life organizations serving on the host committee, including the Baptist General Convention of Texas, the Christian Life Commission, Relevant Radio, and the Bridge Christian talk radio.
By: Daniel Friend
“[T]housands of pro-life Texans, including Texas Alliance for Life Executive Director, Joe Pojman, Ph.D., will gather on the corner of 14th Street and San Jacinto to march to the south steps of the Capitol for the annual Texas Rally for Life,” according to a media advisory from Texas Alliance for Life.
By: TONY GUAJARDO
Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life responded to a request from The Texan to comment on Texas’ pro-life accomplishments in the 2019 legislature.
Pojman said, “We view this as a successful session highlighted by the passing of HB16, The Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act, SB 22 to defund Planned Parenthood at the local level, and increased funding for compassionate alternatives to abortion.”
HB 16 would require a physician to preserve the life and health of a child born alive after an abortion, just as they would to any other child born alive at the same gestational age. The bill includes a requirement that the physician who performed or attempted the abortion immediately transfers the born alive child to a hospital.
A physician who fails to provide the appropriate medical treatment to a child born alive after an abortion would be liable to the state for a civil penalty of at least $100,000. The attorney general would also be authorized to bring a suit to collect the penalty as well.
But not all pro-life advocates see this as a major win.
Kimberlyn Schwartz, media director with Texas Right to Life, was tempered in her characterization of HB 16.
She said, “Although symbolizing pro-life values, HB 16 does not stop abortion.”
SB 22 was enacted to prohibit taxpayer dollars at both the state and local level from being used to fund abortion facilities and affiliates. Exemptions are made for licensed hospitals, licensed physician offices that perform fewer than 50 abortions per year, state hospitals, teaching hospitals, and accredited residency programs.
Both Texas Alliance for Life and Texas Right to Life view SB 22 as a noteworthy pro-life victory.
Pojman also mentioned SB 24, which ensures women receive information on alternatives to abortion, and HB 902 which increase penalties for assaulting pregnant women, as significant wins.
By: TONY GUAJARDO
Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life said, “Our goal is to completely protect unborn babies from abortion beginning at fertilization. However, at this time we are not recommending the Texas Legislature support the heartbeat bill and other bills that have little chance of surviving a federal court challenge.”
He continued, “The bad precedent of a loss will be used to strike down pro-life laws in Texas and other states. The 2016 loss in Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt in which the Supreme Court struck down safety regulations at abortion facilities has been used to strike down a number of laws in other states. It is heartbreaking to see that happen in state after state.”