Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

November 2021 – On May 18, Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed Texas SB 8 into law, prohibiting abortions as early as six weeks, or whenever a baby’s heartbeat can be detected. Other states have instituted similar “fetal heartbeat” laws. In fact, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case surrounding Mississippi’s anti-abortion law.

As of September 1, unique provisions of the Texas law allow private citizens to sue anyone helping a mother procure an abortion after the detection of a heartbeat. Reports from Texas abortion clinics indicate the new law could potentially stop at least 85% of the state’s abortions.

AFA executive vice president Ed Vitagliano stated, “Whatever the final legal outcome, Planned Parenthood’s own numbers indicate that the Texas law will prevent more than 4,000 abortions a month in that state. For as long as that can last, we thank God that lives are being saved.”

While AFA and other pro-life advocates celebrate this unprecedented legal win, abortion proponents view it as another potential challenge to the Supreme Court’s landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Accordingly, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland revealed the Biden Justice Department was exploring ways to challenge the Texas law.

texastribune.org, 5/19/21, 9/6/21; afn.net, 9/7/21