Texas Democrats hope threat to Roe v. Wade will energize their voters ahead of the midterm election | Texas Tribune

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By: ANDREW ZHANG, PATRICK SVITEK AND ABBY LIVINGSTON

Anti-abortion activists argue that Democrats are the ones out of touch on abortion. They acknowledge the polling on Roe v. Wade does not appear favorable to the GOP but said that’s because most people do not fully understand the landmark case’s impact and what its overturning could mean.

“The poll numbers have been similar to that year after year after year, and in Texas and other states, the pro-life movement keeps advancing,” both in policy and politics, said Joe Pojman, executive director of Texas Alliance for Life. He joked that every GOP candidate who his group interviewed for the March primary was “more pro-life than Mother Teresa.”

Texas groups react to leaked Supreme Court opinion on abortion | Fox 29

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By: by Jordan Elder

Other groups, like Texas Alliance for Life, are cautiously optimistic about the contents of the draft.

“It is our hope that when the final decision is released…it reflects the same opinion that we’re seeing now,” said Amy O’Donnell, communications director for the organization. “But we do recognize that drafts circulate and opinions change.”

Texas abortion laws are already among the strictest in the country.

Texas Alliance for Life has lobbied for tougher regulations, including the House Bill 1280, a so-called “trigger law” which hinges on the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade.

“30 days after the judgment is rendered, then abortion is completely outlawed in Texas, and life is protected from conception to birth,” O’Donnell said.

Texas also passed the Heartbeat Law, which went into effect last year.

It outlaws abortions after a heartbeat is detected, which is usually about six weeks.

New Mexico abortion providers prepare for influx of clients if Roe v. Wade is overturned | CNHI

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By: Ali Linan CNHI Texas Statehouse Reporter

During the 2021 legislative session, the state increased the program’s budget 25%, allotting $100 million over two years. According to state estimates, this would provide assistance for more than 150,000 pregnant people each year, far more than the 55,000 that received an abortion in 2020.

In his 2021 interim charges, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick named expanded funding and resources for this program as one of his top priorities.

“I think that kind of puts things in perspective from the point of view of Texas legislature’s goals to protect unborn babies from abortion and provide tremendous resources for women with unplanned pregnancies,” Executive Director for Texas Alliance for Life Joe Pojam said.

Tensions Rise Over Future of Abortion Rights in US | VOA News

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By: Deana Mitchell

For anti-abortion activists, this time constraint is a big step in the right direction.

“Our goal is to make a society such that no woman would even consider having an abortion because she feels there are no alternatives. We do have vast alternatives,” said Joe Pojman, founder of Texas Alliance for Life.

Instead of seeking an abortion, Pojman wants pregnant women to visit Texas’ nearly 200 crisis pregnancy centers, where he says they can find support.

Brittany Green-Benningfield, who heads the Pflugerville Pregnancy Resource Center, said such groups offer a variety of resources for pregnant women.

“So this is our baby boutique for our moms,” she said while offering a tour of the center. “This is where, when they come and take lessons with us, they get an opportunity to shop. Through classes, they earn points, and then they are able to take what they need. We have a licensed sonographer, and she provides ultrasounds for any of our clients that come in. We are giving our moms a first glimpse to see their baby.”

The centers also help women make doctor’s appointments and offer things like canned goods until the child is 2-and-a-half to 3 years old. Pojman said it’s all a big step in the right direction, but that much more work is needed.

“While the number of abortions has substantially decreased and women are seeking more agencies that provide alternatives to abortions, there are still tens of thousands of abortions in Texas going on,” he said.

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.