“It is not human for a government that claims to protect what is good in human life and society to stand indifferent to the choice between the life and death of an unborn child. At the very least, the government should promote the option for life.”

-Bishop Flores of the Diocese of Brownsville

The first special session of the 82^nd legislature adjourned sine die on Wednesday, June 29, with the passage of yet another pro-life provision in place. A ban on taxpayer funding for abortion was passed in SB 7, which will save the lives of thousands of unborn children in Texas.

During the regular session, we advocated for legislation that would prohibit taxpayer funding for abortion, and were disappointed to see it fail. This practice fails to protect the conscience of taxpayers, who, polls and petitions show, overwhelmingly disapprove of their tax dollars paying for abortions.

“Healthcare must be life-affirming and should seek to be life-saving. Abortion, which takes the life of an innocent child and devastates all those involved, most especially the mother, is not healthcare. We stand ready to offer her hope in whatever difficult situation she faces,” testified Marie Seale, Director of the Office of Pro-Life Activities and Chaste Living for the Catholic Diocese of Austin. “The mothers in our community deserve better than abortion, they deserve true support that will result in a better life situation, not the end of the life of their child.”

We advocated, along with several other partners, for the language to be reintroduced during the special session. With the help of faithful citizens across the state, who prayed and advocated on this issue, the language has been passed and now goes to the Governor.

This victory comes on the heels of major gains during the regular legislative session included the passage of a legislation that provides mothers with access to their sonogram, and allow for the creation of a “Choose Life” license plate.

As faithful citizens we are called to speak on behalf of those who are voiceless. Texas is blessed to see many victories for the vulnerable unborn in the womb from the regular and special session of Texas’ 82^nd legislature.

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