¶ Texas Abortion Law
¶ Budd Tweeted In Support Of The Texas Heartbeat Act
Budd Tweeted: “The Texas Heartbeat Act Is A Monumental Step Forward In The Movement To Protect Unborn Life. #Prolife” [@RepTedBudd, 9/1/21]
¶ Texas Abortion Law Did Not Include Exceptions And Deputized Private Citizens To Sue Abortion Providers
Texas Abortion Law Banned Most Abortions After About Six Weeks Of Pregnancy. According to the New York Times, “A Texas law banning most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy went into effect on Wednesday, despite the 1973 Supreme Court decision that established a constitutional right to the procedure, making the state the most restrictive in the nation in terms of access to abortion services. Other states have passed similar laws, but those measures face legal challenges. The Texas law is the first to be implemented. On a vote of 5 to 4, the court refused just before midnight on Wednesday to block the law.” [New York Times, 9/1/21]
Texas Abortion Law Did Not Include Exceptions For Pregnancies Resulting From Rape Or Incest. According to the New York Times, “Does the law make exceptions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest, or to protect the life of the mother? The law does not make exceptions for rape or incest. It does permit abortions for health reasons, but the exceptions are narrowly drawn, allowing a termination only if the pregnancy could endanger the mother’s life or lead to ‘substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function,’ Ms. Nash noted.” [New York Times, 9/1/21]
Texas Abortion Law Deputized Private Citizens To Sue Anyone Who Performs An Abortion Or “Aids And Abets” A Procedure. According to the New York Times, “Doesn’t Roe v. Wade guarantee a woman’s right to abortion? Can the Texas law be challenged on constitutional grounds? The Texas law bars state officials from actually enforcing it, a design intended to make it difficult to challenge in the courts. Usually a lawsuit aiming to block such a law as unconstitutional names state officials as defendants. Instead, the Texas law deputizes private citizens to sue anyone who performs an abortion or ‘aids and abets’ a procedure. Plaintiffs who have no connection to the patient or the clinic may sue and recover legal fees, as well as $10,000 if they win.” [New York Times, 9/1/21]