Planned Parenthood abortion clinics continue to close following the historic defunding provision passed by the U.S. Congress last month and signed into law
by President Trump on July 4 as part of the Big Beautiful Bill.
As reported by Council for Life last week, the historic passage of the U.S. Congress to defund Planned Parenthood from receiving hundreds of millions of Federal taxpayer funded Medicaid payments is a huge victory.
The financial and operating woes of the big abortion Goliath following the overturn of Roe continue. So far this year, Planned Parenthood has closed at least 37 abortion clinics across the nation. (See Council for Life News HERE and Life News featuring 2025 Council for Life Luncheon Speaker Shawn Carney HERE)
We rejoice that the lives of babies and women will be spared from surgical abortions because of the closures of these deadly brick and mortar facilities. But the horrifying truth is that the death and destruction has not stopped and is far from over.
The lethal chemical abortion drug mifepristone remains readily available and causes over 60% of the abortions in the United States. According to medical experts, the real percentage is likely far greater and approaching 80%. Every day, chemical abortion results in the death of thousands of babies and wreaks emotional distress and physical harm upon their mothers. (See Council for Life News HERE)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally recognized the dangers of chemical abortion drugs, requiring medical oversight and safeguards to protect women. But over time, common sense safety regulations, including in-person doctor visits and gestational age confirmation via ultrasound, were lifted. A recent study by the Ethics and Public Policy Center shows abortion drugs are at least 22 times more dangerous than the FDA labeling indicates. (See Council for Life News HERE)
We are greatly encouraged, however, by the critical efforts of pro-life government leaders, clergy and organizations sweeping the country to protect women and preborn children from the harm of chemical abortion.
State Government Pro-Life Leaders are Fighting Hard to Stop Chemical Abortion Pills from Flowing Illegally into their States
Planned Parenthood, abortion doctors and other providers continue to sell dangerous chemical abortion pills through telehealth and online platforms. Strong pro-life state laws like in Texas are being circumvented because of illegal trafficking of chemical abortion drugs and Shield Laws protecting doctors in pro-abortion states from legal prosecution.
VALIANT PRO-LIFE LEADERSHIP IN THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS
Texas government leaders have been heroic in their recent aggressive pursuit to hold doctors and other providers accountable for unlawfully supplying abortion drugs to our state. Texas laws prohibit a physician or medical supplier from providing “any abortion-inducing drug by courier, delivery or mail service.” Additionally, no physician may treat patients or prescribe Texas residents medicine through telehealth services unless the doctor holds a valid Texas medical license. (See Texas Health & Safety Code, Chapter 171, Abortion HERE and Texas Medical Board HERE)
Texas Legislature
The Women and Child Protection Act is a comprehensive, groundbreaking bill originally filed by Texas Senator Bryan Hughes and Representative Jeff Leach to enforce the illegal trafficking of chemical abortion pills into our state. After falling short in the 2025 Regular Legislative Session, Governor Greg Abbott included the Act for consideration in the current Texas Legislature Special Session. (See Council for Life News HERE)
Texas Attorney General
In December 2024, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a civil suit against New York abortionist Dr. Margaret Carpenter in District Court for sending abortion-inducing drugs through telehealth to a Collin County woman resulting in the death of her unborn child and serious medical complications for her. (See Petition HERE)
In February, Attorney General Paxton secured a $100,000 penalty and Permanent Injunction against Dr. Carpenter. (See Final Judgment and Order HERE) Louisiana officials filed a criminal lawsuit against Dr. Carpenter in February and secured a felony indictment.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul invoked New York’s Shield Law to protect Dr. Carpenter from Texas and Louisiana civil and criminal liability. (See Office of New York Attorney General Letitia James Shield Law Protections HERE and Office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul Statements of “Reproductive Health” HERE)
Other states where abortion is legal have Shield Laws similar to New York, including California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington.
Last week, Attorney General Paxton filed a legal petition against the New York Acting County Clerk for Ulster County, Taylor Bruck, to ensure that Dr. Carpenter is held accountable for breaking Texas laws. (See Press Release HERE)
ARKANSAS
Last Tuesday, July 29, Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin held a press conference announcing his office is leading a letter to the United States Congress urging the Federal Government to help states enforce their pro-life laws.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin is also fighting valiantly for life in his state. At a press conference last Tuesday, Attorney General Griffin announced that he has issued cease-and-desist letters to companies responsible for marketing abortion pills to Arkansans in violation of state law. Attorney General Griffin also announced his office is leading a letter along with 15 other State Attorneys General asking the United States Congress to address pro-abortion “shield” laws. The letter is signed by Attorneys General from: Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming.
Excerpt from Attorneys General Letter dated July 29, 2025, to the U.S. Congress
(See Arkansas Attorney General Griffin Press Conference HERE and Attorneys General Full Letter HERE)
The Clergy is also Taking Much Needed Action to Stop Deadly Chemical Abortion.
In a Joint Letter dated July 7, 2025, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and national Catholic healthcare and bioethics associations made an urgent plea to FDA Commission Dr. Marty Makary to improve safety protocols and health protections concerning telemedicine chemical abortions. (See USCCB Letter HERE)
Last week, in a Letter dated July 28, forty Southern Baptist leaders representing 22 states joined the Family Research Council imploring President Trump to take “immediate action” in stopping the mail-order distribution of mifepristone.
The plea to President Trump follows a Resolution adopted by the Southern Baptist Convention this summer calling for Federal and State lawmakers to stop the “manufacture, sale and distribution of chemical abortion drugs” and to “enforce the Comstock Act prohibiting the mailing of abortion pills.” (See Southern Baptist Letter HERE and Southern Baptist Convention Resolution HERE)
Please Pray
Please pray for U.S. and State Government leaders and agency officials to exercise their authority to stop the illegal distribution of chemical abortion drugs, preempt Shield Laws protecting abortion providers and restore all previously removed FDA safety protocols for chemical abortion drugs with the goal of ultimately banning the drugs completely.
Please also pray for all church leaders to take action on standing against the moral evils of abortion.
Give for Life
Support the Mission of Council for Life.
Your donation will EDUCATE about the humanity of the unborn child and the profound harm of abortion and FUND our 34 outstanding 2025 Beneficiaries.