Originally published September 2, 2021
The Supreme Court of the United States denied abortionists’ petition to block enforcement of the Texas Heartbeat Act. The life-saving law took effect September 1, protecting preborn babies who have detectable heartbeats from abortion.
Texas Right to Life is thrilled with the outcome.
Several abortion groups and anti-Life individuals asked the United States Supreme Court Monday to block the enforcement of the Texas Heartbeat Act (Senate Bill 8). Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett deemed that the district judge presiding over the case ignored critical legal questions regarding the validity of the frivolous suit. Chief Justice Roberts joined the liberal wing of the court in dissent.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a massive victory for the Pro-Life movement, as Texas is now the first state to enforce a heartbeat act.
Texas Right to Life hopes to replicate our success across the nation.
The Texas Heartbeat Act is the strongest Pro-Life law to take effect since the unjust ruling of Roe v. Wade (1973). Abortionists will be required to check for the preborn baby’s heartbeat before any abortion. If the baby’s heartbeat is detected, that abortion will be prohibited in Texas. This act is unique from other states’ heartbeat laws since the legislation prohibits state officials from enforcing the law and relies solely on civil liability. Any citizen will be able to enforce this act by suing any abortionist committing abortion or individuals aiding and abetting an abortion in Texas after the baby’s heartbeat was detected. Except for the woman seeking the abortion, anyone proven to have violated the law is accountable for a minimum of $10,000 per violation.
Texas Right to Life celebrates this phenomenal victory for tens of thousands of preborn children who will be spared the evil of abortion. We are optimistic that the Texas Heartbeat Act will continue to survive ongoing and future legal attacks against this historic policy. Furthermore, we are encouraged this ruling positively foreshadows how the Supreme Court may rule in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, another Pro-Life case to be heard by SCOTUS later this fall.
Women seeking pregnancy assistance can find help at the Texas Right to Life website.