As we celebrate the 3rd Anniversary of the fall of Roe v. Wade TODAY, June 24, we also give praise for the Pro-Life Bills passed by our Texas Legislature in their 89th Regular Legislative Session that concluded on June 2. (See Council for Life News HERE and a Summary of the Passed Pro-Life Bills BELOW)
Call for Special Session as Critical Chemical Abortion Pill Bill Falls Short in Heartbreaking Loss
But our hearts break for the failure of Senate Bill 2880, the Women and Child Protection Act, that was filed and valiantly fought for by Senator Bryan Hughes and Representative Jeff Leach. The Women and Child Protection Act is a comprehensive, groundbreaking bill to prosecute and stop the illegal trafficking of dangerous chemical abortion pills into our state. More than 20,000 pills are ordered and sent illegally to Texas every year using online platforms in both the United States and foreign countries.
The Texas Senate passed the measure, but Texas Representative and Chairman of the House Committee on State Affairs Ken King (R-Canadian) delayed a vote on the Bill in his committee for weeks. Tragically, Chairman King’s deliberate “slow-walk” of the Women and Child Protection Act meant time ran out. The Session ended before the Bill could ever reach the House floor for a vote.
Many pro-life organizations including Council for Life Beneficiaries Students for Life of America and Texas Right to Life are urging Governor Greg Abbott to call a Special Session to pass the Women and Child Protection Act. (See Letter from Students for Life Action HERE)
(Read SB 2880 HERE)
Summary of Five Critical Pro-Life Bills that Passed
Thank You to Our Heroic Pro-Life Texas Legislators
Council for Life applauds our BOLD AND BRAVE TEXAS LEGISLATORS — PRO-LIFE HEROES — who were instrumental in passing the following measures because they made the dignity and preciousness of every human life a priority this Session. These Pro-Life Bills have passed both the Texas Senate and House and were sent to Governor Abbott.
This past Saturday, June 21, Governor Abbott signed into law Pro-Life Senate Bills 31 and 33 described directly below. (See Full List of 300 Bills Signed by Governor Abbott HERE)
#1 Life of the Mother Act to Help Doctors Treat Pregnancy Medical Emergencies
Senate Bill 31 Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Tyler) and Representative Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth)
The Life of the Mother Act affirms that Texas abortion ban laws allow doctors to intervene if a pregnant woman faces a life-threatening medical emergency. In these emergency situations, a doctor is not required to delay medical treatment if doing so would increase the risk to the mother, but must provide “the best opportunity for survival of an unborn child.” Often a pre-viable delivery of the baby is chosen so both mother and baby receive care. The Act clarifies removing an ectopic pregnancy or a dead, unborn child due to miscarriage is not considered an abortion and requires free continuing education for doctors and attorneys to bring clarity to our state’s abortion ban.
Governor Abbott signed this Act into law three days ago on Saturday, June 21. The Act takes effect immediately. (Read SB31 HERE)
#2 Stop Tax-Funded Abortion Travel Act to Ban Local Governments from Funding Abortion Expenses
Senate Bill 33 by Senator Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels) and Representative Candy Noble (R-Murphy)
The Stop Tax-Funded Abortion Travel Act bans cities (like Austin and San Antonio) from using taxpayer dollars to directly fund abortions or abortion groups for out-of-state abortion travel expenses, such as flights and hotel accommodations.
Governor Abbott signed this Act into law three days ago on Saturday, June 21. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. (Read SB 33 HERE)
#3 Support for Fragile Babies – The Perinatal Palliative Care Act to Provide Support to Families when their Preborn Baby has a Life-Limiting Diagnosis
Senate Bill 1233 Senator Kelly Hancock (R-North Richland Hills) and Representative Valoree Swanson (R-Spring)
Hospitals and doctors will now provide support for families who learn their preborn baby has a life-limiting diagnosis and information on specialized care for their fragile babies. Sadly, often times these families are encouraged by doctors to abort their unborn child.
Kelly and Daniel Crawford experienced the loss of their own precious baby son Abel. Kelly and Daniel carried Abel to term despite his diagnosis with the life-limiting abnormality Trisomy 18 and the advice of their doctor. In response, the Crawfords started Abel Speaks, a Council for Life Beneficiary, to provide families who receive this devastating news with the support they so desperately need.
This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. (Read SB 1233 HERE)
Kelly and Daniel Crawford, Founders of Abel Speaks, and other parents who chose to carry their child with a life-limiting diagnosis, brought the Texas Senate to tears with their testimonies in this Texas Right to Life video.
#4 Adoption Education in High Schools to Educate Young Texans about the Life-Affirming Option of Adoption
Senate Bill 1207 Senator Phil King (R-Weatherford) and Representative Terri Leo Wilson (R-Galveston)
Senate Bill 1207 requires public high schools to teach about adoption in their health classes. An in-depth academic Article written in the aftermath of the Dobbs decision explores why for every 50 babies aborted, only one is adopted. The Article concludes that the choice against adoption is largely due to fears and misconceptions. SB 1207 is important so young Texans are educated about the life-affirming option of adoption. (See Informing Choice: The Role of Adoption in Women’s Pregnancy Decision-Making Article HERE)
This Act takes effect immediately. (See SB 1207 HERE)
#5 Pregnancy Center Funding Increased Thriving Texas Families Program Funds are Protected for Pro-Life Organizations
Senate Bill 1388 Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Representative James Frank (R-Wichita Falls)
Thanks to the efforts of Representative Caroline Harris Davila (R–Round Rock), Representative Dr. Tom Oliverson (R–Cypress) and other leading pro-life officials the final Texas budget in this Texas Legislative Session includes $200 million of funding for the Thriving Texas Families Program. Thriving Texas Families is a statewide network that provides resources and personalized support to promote healthy pregnancy and childbirth as an alternative to abortion.
Senate Bill 1388 ensures that state funds from the Thriving Texas Families Program are only directed to life-affirming agencies serving pregnant women and families like pregnancy resource centers, maternity homes and adoption agencies.
This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. (See SB 1388 HERE)
Please Pray
Please join us in praying for all government leaders to use their positions of power to cherish and protect vulnerable mothers and their unborn babies.
GIVE FOR LIFE & DOUBLE THE IMPACT WITH MATCHING GRANT
Your donation will FUND our 34 outstanding 2025 Beneficiaries and your IMPACT DOUBLED thanks to a generous $100,000 matching grant from The Lunsford Foundation.