Texans for Life Coalition
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – What an exciting time to be pro-life in Texas! While HB 2, our pro-life omnibus bill continues to take hits from abortion advocates we continue to prevail in the courts.
Last month, after a 3-day bench trial, a federal district judge issued an injunction against enforcement of the hospital privileges requirement, saying the provision was an undue burden. Judge Yeakel also inserted his own exception into the portion of the law regarding medical abortions, which in effect gutted the provision.
Texas immediately appealed to the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which in turn lifted the injunction, citing substantial likelihood the state would prevail at a full trial to be held in January.
In a rare move, Planned Parenthood and other abortion advocates then appealed to the US Supreme Court to have the injunction reinstated pending trial. In a 5-4 decision, the Court declined to reinstate the stay.
This is great news for women and babies in Texas! First, a three-member panel of the Fifth Circuit has expressed that the State is likely to prevail in January. Second, despite protestations to the contrary, we do not believe Planned Parenthood et all will appeal a final verdict from the Fifth Circuit, fearing a wider precedent on the issue.
Well over a dozen shoddy clinics and doctors are out of business, many of them shuttered forever, leaving women and babies safer. Please continue to include HB 2 in your prayers!
