“Texas is a pro-life state and these bills reflect our commitment to protecting innocent life”
AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today following the passage of Senate Bill 8, the Heartbeat Bill, and Senate Bill 9, the Abortion Ban Trigger:
“When I served in the Texas Senate, protecting life was one of my top priorities. I am proud to have passed the landmark sonogram bill which has saved thousands of babies in Texas. Since I have been Lt. Governor, the Texas Senate has passed the strongest pro-life legislation in history. Today we have taken additional steps to protect the unborn.
“SB 8, the Heartbeat Bill, will prohibit a physician from performing an abortion if the unborn child has a detectable heartbeat, and SB 9 will immediately outlaw abortion in Texas if Roe v. Wade is overturned or a new law is passed prohibiting abortion at the federal level.
“Texas is a pro-life state and this legislation reflects our continued commitment to protecting the most vulnerable. I look forward to this lifesaving legislation being signed into law.”
The Texas Senate passed additional pro-life legislation today, including SB 394 by Sen. Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, which further regulates drug-induced abortion providers, SB 802 by Sen. Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, which ensures that any woman who seeks an abortion will be informed of the resources available to her and her child, SB 1173 by Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, which prohibits discriminatory abortions, and SB 1647 by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, an omnibus pro-life bill.
SB 8, the Heartbeat Bill, is authored by Senators Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe, Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, Joan Huffman, R-Houston, Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, Drew Springer, R-Muenster, and Larry Taylor, R-Friendswood.
SB 9, the Abortion Ban Trigger, is authored by Senators Angela Paxton, R-McKinney, Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, Dawn Buckingham, R-Lakeway, Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, Kelly Hancock, R-North Richland Hills, Eddie Lucio, Jr., D-Brownsville, Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and Drew Springer, R-Muenster.