On Tuesday, pro-life Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed into law the groundbreaking Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act. The bill S.B. 8, as originally filed was a partial birth abortion ban and regulated the disposal of aborted babies. Pro-life leaders amended the bill to include an amendment that would protect unborn children from the gruesome dismemberment abortion procedure which tears apart living unborn children limb-by-limb in the womb. On May 28th, the Texas Legislature sent the bill to the Governor. The law, which will go into effect on September 1, 2017 will prohibit dismemberment abortions in Texas.
“The Texas Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act is a vital step in protecting pregnant mothers and their unborn children from being subject to such a dehumanizing experience” said National Right to Life Committee State Legislative Director Ingrid Duran. “Texas becomes the eighth state to protect developing preborn children from such a heinous act.”
“We applaud the efforts of our affiliate, Texas Right to Life, and the pro-life dedication of the Texas legislature and Governor Abbott for their commitment in enacting this life-affirming law.” added Carol Tobias, President of National Right to Life.
Texas becomes the eighth state to protect developing preborn children from such a heinous act. Earlier this year, Arkansas enacted the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act joining Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. For the current status of these laws please visit nrlc.org.
Dismemberment abortions are as brutal as the partial-birth abortion method, which is now illegal in the United States.
A medical illustration of a D&E dismemberment abortion is available here.
Background materials on the bill are available on the National Right to Life website.
Texas’ adoption of the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act marks a significant development in the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States. The legislation, which prohibits a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation, has drawn both praise and criticism.
Supporters of the law argue that it represents a crucial step in protecting the rights of the unborn and preventing what they perceive as inhumane abortion procedures. They contend that banning dilation and evacuation abortions aligns with their beliefs about the sanctity of life and ensures that alternative abortion methods are used instead.
Critics, however, raise concerns about the impact of such legislation on women’s reproductive rights and access to safe healthcare. They argue that dilation and evacuation abortions are often medically necessary and safer for women, particularly in cases of severe fetal abnormalities or health complications.
Texas becoming the eighth state to pass this act reflects broader trends in the U.S. where state legislatures are increasingly enacting restrictive abortion laws. These measures often face legal challenges, with opponents arguing that they infringe upon the constitutional right to abortion established by Roe v. Wade.
The passage of the Unborn Child Protection from Dismemberment Abortion Act in Texas underscores the ongoing contentiousness surrounding abortion policy and highlights the enduring divide between those who seek to restrict abortion access and those who advocate for reproductive rights and autonomy.
Chelsea Garcia is a political writer with a special interest in international relations and social issues. Events surrounding the war in Ukraine and the war in Israel are a major focus for political journalists. But as a former local reporter, she is also interested in national politics.
Chelsea Garcia studied media, communication and political science in Texas, USA, and learned the journalistic trade during an internship at a daily newspaper. In addition to her political writing, she is pursuing a master's degree in multimedia and writing at Texas.
