War on Women Report: Trump Slashes Sexual Violence Prevention; GOP Targets Teens’ Repro Rights; Nebraska Abortion Funeral Bill Threatens Miscarriage Care | Ms. Magazine

Visit Website

By: Ava Slocum and Cat Ross

New legislation from Florida and Texas is making it harder than ever for teenagers to access reproductive healthcare.

Texas
At the beginning of April, Texas Republicans introduced SB 2352, a bill targeting anyone who helps a teenager obtain an out-of-state abortion. (Texas is one of 12 states with total abortion bans.) SB 2352 would make it a second-degree felony to help anyone under the age of 18 travel out of state for an abortion, whether by transporting the minor or funding their travel (such as by giving them money for gas).

Amy O’Donnell from antiabortion organization Texas Alliance for Life said the bill “is really just about protecting children.” However, Lucie Aravallo from the nonprofit Jane’s Due Process—which provides financial support and travel assistance to Texas teens (17 or younger) for abortion in states where it is legal—said the bill effectively takes community support away from teenagers: “Especially for young people that are in unsafe family systems, are in juvenile detention or in the current foster care system, this bill will currently limit any ability that they have to access abortion care, even out of state. We cannot believe that, with all of the problems the state is facing, that they are choosing to make it even harder for young people to access necessary care.”

Texas Senate passes bill clarifying when doctors can perform medically necessary abortions | FOX 7 Austin

Visit Website

By: Steven Ardary

“Since 2021, abortions in Texas have essentially ceased. As a Christian and a conservative, I celebrate that tens of thousands of tiny Texans have been saved and that Texas has led the way in protecting life nationwide,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said after the bill’s passage. “SB 31, which is only designed to provide legal clarity for doctors in rare cases when a mother’s life is threatened, is supported by Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, and other life groups. I thank Sen. Hughes for his continued passionate defense of life.”

Texas Senate approves bill that would clarify when doctors can provide abortions | NBC News 4 San Antonio

Visit Website

By: Michael Adkinson

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued the following statement following the Texas Senate’s unanimous passage of Senate Bill 31, Life of the Mother Act, by Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Tyler:

Since 2021, abortions in Texas have essentially ceased. As a Christian and a conservative, I celebrate that tens of thousands of tiny Texans have been saved and that Texas has led the way in protecting life nationwide. SB 31, which is only designed to provide legal clarity for doctors in rare cases when a mother’s life is threatened, is supported by Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, and other life groups. I thank Sen. Hughes for his continued passionate defense of life.

Lt. Gov. Patrick thanks Sen. Hughes following ‘Life of the Mother Act’ passage | KETK

Visit Website

By: Tristen VanBeem

“Since 2021, abortions in Texas have essentially ceased,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said. “As a Christian and a conservative, I celebrate that tens of thousands of tiny Texans have been saved and that Texas has led the way in protecting life nationwide. SB 31, which is only designed to provide legal clarity for doctors in rare cases when a mother’s life is threatened, is supported by Texas Right to Life, Texas Alliance for Life, and other life groups. I thank Sen. Hughes for his continued passionate defense of life.”

Texas ‘Life of the Mother Act’ undergoes clarifying revisions | Live Action

Visit Website

By: Reyna Rodriguez

Executive Director of Texas Alliance for Life, Dr. Joe Pojman, also testified in favor of the legislation prior to its revisions, and cited data reported by the Department of Health and Human Services of the 151 abortions labeled under the “medically necessary” exception from the overturning of Roe through November 2024. Dr. Pojman stated, “No doctor has been prosecuted, sued, or sanctioned for any of those 151 abortions. No woman has lost her life for lack of an exception.”