Pro-Life Accomplishments of 2017 Legislature Praised by Texas Alliance for Life

Texas has become the envy of the nation because of the tremendous pro-life accomplishments of the Texas Legislature." Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas This past year during the 2017 Session of the Texas Legislature Texas saw yet another in a continuing string of sensational sessions on the life issue passing six pro-life bills. This says Texas Alliance for Life Executive Director Dr. Joe Pojman (right with Gov. Greg Abbott) followed a very successful pro-life session in 2015 under the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Speaker of the House Joe Straus.

Texas has become the envy of the nation because of the tremendous pro-life accomplishments of the Texas Legislature" said Pojman referring to the legislatures continued defunding of Planned Parenthood its continued funding for alternatives to abortion as well as passage of numerous other pro-life provisions in the states two-year budget bill.

After Speaker Straus (R-San Antonio) recently announced that he would not seek re-election for the House District 121 seat he has held since February 2005 Pojman noted:

Over the past five sessions Speaker Straus has ensured Texans that pro-life issues are one of his priority issues.

Speaker Straus has been critical to the substantial success of the pro-life movement in Texas and we commend his strong record of accomplishments like the 10 Pro-Life Bills recently passed by the Legislature and the continued defunding of Planned Parenthood a record achievement in Texas.

• For a full listing of pro-life accomplishments in the 85th Legislative session please visit the TAL website.

In his role as Speaker we will always be grateful for his partnership with Texas Alliance for Life and other productive pro-life organizations and we look forward to working with the future leaders in the House to ensure continued pro-life success for all of Texas" Pojman said. In addition to Straus retirement State Representative Byron Cook (below left R-Corsicana) who currently serves as chairman of the House State Affairs Committee also recently announced he will not seek re-election during the 2018 election cycle. Noted Pojman For the past 14 years Chairman Cook has been a legislative leader who was pivotal to many great things that happened across the pro-life movement in Texas. Without his leadership many pro-life priority bills may not have moved on to become the laws they are today. Chairman Cook did much for Texas regarding bills such as the Sonogram Bill in 2011 HB 2 in 2013 and numerous bills which were passed in the 85th Legislative Session and First Called Special Session. We are fortunate to call him a true friend of Texas Alliance for Life and we know that his pro-life legacy will long surpass his years in office" Pojman said. The record of success for the pro-life agenda in Texas carried on through the summer 2017 Special Session called by Gov. Abbott. At the conclusion of the special session the Legislature passed an additional four pro-life bills. Governor Abbott quickly signed them all into law. Texas Alliance for Life fought for and strongly supported each of the pro-life bills during the special session.

• To learn more about these bills please click here.