I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. —John 8:12

Dear Friends,

There is much joy and hope following the overturning of Roe. But the news with which we are deluged daily evidences much darkness surrounding us and the light of Christ is needed more than ever. The intense determination by abortion proponents to ensure access to kill innocent life in the womb, even up until or after birth, is incomprehensible evil.

The life news in a post-Roe world is constantly changing. Council for Life is committed to providing you with summary updates on the national, state and local life news. This update is Part II of a two-part report on recent legal and legislative happenings. Part II covers state and local life news.

STATE & LOCAL LIFE NEWS

San Antonio City Council to Consider Certification of Charter Amendment
Supporting Abortion

On February 8, our Dallas City Council resoundingly voted 10-1 for a deeply disturbing resolution commemorating the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and affirming our city’s support for abortion rights. (Read the Memorandum HERE, the Resolution HERE, The Dallas Morning News article HERE and Council for Life News HERE)
We will certainly see similar scenarios in other Texas cities. The San Antonio City Council is considering a proposal to decriminalize Texas state law banning abortion. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Alliance for Life separately petitioned the Supreme Court of Texas to block the effort. 

Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Abortion to Birth with No Restrictions:
The Most Extreme in Nation

On January 31, Minnesota Democrat Governor Tim Walz signed a bill that enshrines the right to abortion in Minnesota up until birth. The law, called the Protect Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, makes Minnesota the first in the nation to codify abortion via legislative action since Roe v. Wade was overturned. The PRO Act is the most extreme abortion law in the nation.

At the signing, Governor Walz stated: “The message we are sending to Minnesota today is very clear: your rights are protected in this state. Today we are delivering on our promise to put up a firewall against efforts to reverse reproductive freedom. No matter who sits on the Minnesota Supreme Court, this legislation will ensure Minnesotans have access to reproductive health care for generations to come.”

Republican Party of Minnesota Chairman David Hann said in response, “Make no mistake, this extreme bill provides for taxpayer-funded abortion, on-demand, up until and even after birth.”

Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick Assigns
Strong Pro-Life Senators to Critical Committees

The 88th Regular Legislative Session of the Texas Legislature began on January 10 — the first since the overturning of Roe. Democrats have filed numerous bills for consideration to bring elective abortion back to Texas, including legislation that would repeal our state ban on abortion, legalize access to chemical abortion pills, target children with disabilities and enshrine the right to abortion in our state constitution.

Pro-life Republicans are putting forth legislation to tighten existing laws prohibiting abortion, including targeting companies that help pay for employees’ out-of-state abortions and district attorneys who will not bring abortion related charges.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick released the Senate committee assignments for the 2023 Legislative Session. The composition of committees is a major factor in determining which bills will progress through the legislative process.

We are thankful the Lieutenant Governor selected strong Pro-Life leadership and membership for committees critical to life-affirming legislation, including Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Tyler) as Chair and Senator Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) as Co-Chair of the State Affairs Committee.

New York City Erects Satanic Statue
on City Courthouse to Promote Abortion
& Satanic Temple Opens New
Abortion Clinic in New Mexico

Just when you thought you were immune to the extreme acts of abortion activists to promote the mass slaughter of unborn babies…

A new, golden idol to abortion tops a New York City State Supreme Courtcourthouse, and a Satanic Temple in New Mexico is practicing a new “religious” abortion ritual.

The New York statue, named “NOW,” is a naked, golden woman with braids fashioned into horns coming out of her head as she emerges from a pink lotus. Satanists and the Satanic Temple often depict Satan with goat-like horns. This statue is meant to pay homage to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her fight for abortion rights.

In New Mexico, a satanic group launched a new “religious medical services” practice offering free abortion drugs online to women ages 17 and up who are at 11 weeks or less gestation. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not recommend abortion drugs after 10 weeks gestation.

The Satanic Temple believes aborting unborn babies is a religious ritual comparable to communion or baptism for Christians. The name of the abortion practice — The Samuel Alito’s Mom’s Satanic Abortion Clinic — is a sinister veiled threat to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito who wrote the decision for the overturn of Roe.

The Satanic Temple leaders said they want to eventually expand their new abortion practice to states like Texas that ban abortions. Their group has filed lawsuits in several states challenging their legal protections for unborn babies on religious grounds.

PLEASE PRAY

PLEASE PRAY for the countless women and men facing an unplanned pregnancy and for our leaders and all citizens to recognize the humanity of every unborn baby.

Thank you for sharing in our mission to honor the inherent worth and dignity of every human life.

Suzanne Everbach
Director of Communication and Philanthropy