The 2013 83rd Sessions of the Legislature proved historic for the Pro-Life cause. Not only did the legislature pass one of the strongest Pro-Life omnibus laws in the United States, but Pro-Life elected officials also defeated a dangerous bill that would have worsened an existing anti-Life law by giving doctors and hospitals more power over patients with do-not-resuscitate orders and denial of Life-sustaining treatment.
House Bill 2, the Pro-Life Omnibus Bill, and some of its provisions when filed separately, actually moved through the legislative process more than once. However, due to political games and misguided leadership, no Pro-Life measures passed until Governor Perry called for Life issues to be addressed in the special sessions.
House Bill 2 included four major Pro-Life provisions. First, the bill established the state’s interest in protecting the lives of preborn children who can feel pain, thereby stopping abortions at five months. Secondly, HB 2 required abortionists to secure admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion business. Third, abortion clinics must now follow the existing health and safety standards of ambulatory surgical centers. Lastly, HB 2 raised the standards on RU-486, the abortion drug used in chemical abortions, based on requirements suggested by the FDA.
Pro-Life legislators received extra credit for being the primary author of a major Pro-Life bill as well as adding their names to a bill as a joint author or a co-author. Thus, some legislators earned scores over 100%. Officials who ignored or rejected opportunities to protect the sanctity of innocent human life scored below 100%.
To view the scorecards for individual legislators, please click: Legislative Scorecards for the 83rd Sessions of the Texas Legislature.
The scores for House members are calculated on the following:
• Votes on Senate Bill 5 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 1st Special Session)
• Votes on anti-Life or weakening amendments to Senate Bill 5 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 1st Special Session)
• Votes on House Bill 2 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 2nd Special Session)
• Votes on anti-Life or weakening amendments to House Bill 2 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 2nd Special Session)
• Penalties for authoring anti-Life or weakening amendments to Senate Bill 5
• Penalty for authoring, joint authoring, or co-authoring the anti-Life HB 1444 (companion to Senate Bill 303)
• Bonuses for defending Pro-Life House Bill 2 in closing remarks
• Bonuses for authoring, joint authoring, or co-authoring other major Pro-Life bills
The scores for Senate members are calculated on the following:
• Votes on Senate Bill 5 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 1st Special Session)
• Votes on anti-Life or weakening amendments to Senate Bill 5 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 1st Special Session)
• Votes on House Bill 2 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 2nd Special Session)
• Votes on anti-Life or weakening amendments to House Bill 2 (Pro-Life Omnibus Bill in 2nd Special Session)
• Penalties for authoring anti-Life or weakening amendments to Senate Bill 5
• Votes on anti-Life Senate Bill 303
• Penalty for authoring, joint authoring, or co-authoring SB 303
• Penalty for attempting to filibuster Pro-Life legislation
• Bonuses for authoring, joint authoring, or co-authoring other major Pro-Life bills
Average scores:
• Whole House: 62% (75% in 2011)
• House Republicans: 95% (108% in 2011)
• House Democrats: 4% (7% in 2011)
• House Freshmen: 71% (95% in 2011)
• Whole Senate: 52% (72% in 2011)
• Senate Republicans: 82% (107% in 2011)
• Senate Democrats: 4% (17% in 2011)
• Senate Freshmen: 80% (75% in 2011)
• Texas Right to Life Endorsed Elected Officials: 99% (111% in 2011)
To view the scorecards for individual legislators, please click: Legislative Scorecards for the 83rd Sessions of the Texas Legislature.
