This time, the Supreme Court ruled that unlimited access to abortion is not a right expressly given in the constitution and the laws governing abortions should be left up to the states to write.
By State Rep. Jacey Jetton
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – During my lifetime, I have never known a world without Roe vs Wade. For ten years before I was even born, the decision of Roe vs Wade ruled as the law of the land. A historic – and far-reaching Supreme Court decided in 1973 that a right not expressed in the Constitution could be "codified" by a court ruling.
Neither Congress nor any State Legislature wrote, debated, or passed this law, yet a panel of judges took this upon themselves – and it's taken nearly half a century to overturn.
Thanks to pro-life legislation that was passed by state legislatures last year – including Texas’ Heartbeat and trigger bills – we were able to successfully push on the merits of that ruling.
This time, the Supreme Court ruled that unlimited access to abortion is not a right expressly given in the constitution, and yes, the laws governing abortions should be left up to the states to write.
Thanks to pro-life legislation that was passed by state legislatures last year – including Texas’ Heartbeat and trigger bills – we were able to successfully push on the merits of that ruling.This time, the Supreme Court ruled that unlimited access to abortion is not a right expressly given in the constitution, and yes, the laws governing abortions should be left up to the states to write.
Justice Alito stated in his opinion on the case that the health and welfare laws are to be made by State Legislatures, and serve the legitimate interests of the state.
Those interests can include:
- Respecting & Preserving “Orenatal life at all stages of development”;
- “The protection of maternal health and safety;
- The elimination of particularly gruesome and barbaric medical procedures;
- The preservation of the integrity of the medical profession;
- The mitigation of fetal pain; and
- The prevention of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or disability.”
The "Trigger Ban Bill" that I joined in co-authoring was signed into law last year. This means that 30 days from the Supreme Court ruling, abortions are banned in Texas – with exceptions for preserving the life of a mother and in the unfortunate instance of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Going forward, it will be up to the state legislature to determine what access is available for Texans to receive an abortion.
The preservation and protection of lives in the womb will continue at the state level.
Going forward, it will be up to the state legislature to determine what access is available for Texans to receive an abortion.
The preservation and protection of lives in the womb will continue at the state level.As important as the preservation of life in the womb, we must take a very hard look at what we do as a society to care for children and families in need.
Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan has suggested the need for the Texas Legislature in 2023 to:
"double down on maternal health care and resources for women, children, and families. That starts with extending postpartum health coverage for new moms to 12 months and continuing to prioritize support and resources for women and families in Texas.”
On June 29th, Governor Abbott announced the launch of a new website connecting Texas families with various health, financial, and support resources. FamilyResources.texas.gov is a “one-stop source of information for Texas State Agencies on the Alternatives to Abortion Program, pregnancy care, adoption services, health insurance, parenting classes, food benefits, child support, child care, and financial assistance.”
“The State of Texas will continue providing care and assistance to women and families as they seek support during this important time in their lives,” said Governor Abbott.
“Everyone should feel supported when caring for their loved ones and growing families. Texas’ new Family Resources website will connect people with a range of services that are easy to access and available to all Texans. Whether it's help with day-to-day needs or providing mental health resources, we continue working together to create a bright future for all Texas families.”
As a member of the Texas Legislature, it is my desire for government to fulfill its role in providing a safety net for children, mothers, and families in need. As a Christian, and a conservative, it is my desire to see the church rise up and non-profits come to the aid of those in need. These groups have the opportunity to provide the ongoing mental, physical, and spiritual support for our neighbors. God created us to live in community and commanded us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love one another as well.
We should care deeply for the unborn – and we should care deeply for children and families.
If you are aware of a church or non-profit who is doing well in serving Texas families in need, please share those successes using the button below. We will keep a running list of local organizations in our office to help connect families in need with available resources.
We are grateful to partner with people like you who care deeply about the most vulnerable in our community.
State Rep. Jacey Jetton is a 7th generation Texan who represents Fort Bend County in the Texas House of Representatives. He serves on the Committees for Redistricting, Public Health, Elections, the Policy Committee for the Texas House Republican Caucus, and the Select Committee on Constitutional Rights and Remedies.
