A Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order against Texas Right to Life and Legislative Director John Seago, preventing them from filing lawsuits against only three specific people. This ruling does not impact any other citizen’s ability to sue for violations of the Texas Heartbeat Act, which is currently slated to take effect September 1. Despite attempts to manipulate the media, this ruling does not block the Texas Heartbeat Act from being enforced at midnight.
Last week, a pro-abortion social worker, a pro-abortion attorney, and an organization called The Bridge Collective sued Texas Right to Life as an organization and Texas Right to Life’s Legislative Director. The plaintiffs claimed they feared Texas Right to Life would sue them under the Texas Heartbeat Act for aiding and abetting illegal abortions. Texas Right to Life never threatened to sue these specific plaintiffs.
This ruling by a Travis County judge does not change Texas Right to Life’s plans. Texas Right to Life is still legally authorized to sue others who violate the Texas Heartbeat Act, including abortionists.