The beating heart of a priceless unborn child should awaken the conscience of our nation to the violence of abortion. I am grateful that Texas is not afraid to take significant steps toward making the womb a safe place again
AUSTIN, TX -- The Texas Senate passed 18-12 the “Texas Heartbeat Act” yesterday which prohibits an abortion if the unborn baby’s heartbeat is detected, typically about six weeks of pregnancy. The House approved the measure earlier this month with an 83-64 vote.
SB 8 now goes to Governor Greg Abbott who is expected to sign it into law. The policy would take effect on September 1, 2021 and would create criminal penalties for abortionists who violate the law.
The “Texas Heartbeat Act” will abolish elective abortions when the preborn child’s heartbeat is detectable using methods according to standard medical practice. The bill makes an exception allowing for abortions in the case of a medical emergency but not for rape or incest. It would be enforced by private citizens empowered to sue abortion providers and others who help someone get an abortion after six weeks. Those private citizens would not need to have a connection to an abortion provider or a person seeking an abortion and would not need to be Texas residents.
