Texas Lawmakers Call on AG Paxton to Investigate Dallas’ Abortion Support

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June, the Dallas City Council has made it their mission to make the city a “sanctuary city for abortion.” Now, a coalition of Texas lawmakers are calling on the attorney general to step in.

Thirty days after the Supreme Court overturned the long-standing abortion precedent, Texas’ “trigger law” went into full effect, outlawing nearly all abortions except in instances where the mother’s life is in danger. The law also made performing an abortion a punishable offense with penalties up to life in prison and $100,000 in fines per offense.

In January, the city of Dallas’ Quality of Life, Arts, and Culture Committee voted to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade with a resolution affirming the city’s support for “abortion care” for all.

During their latest meeting on February 8, the city council voted to approve the resolution 10-1.

According to Resolution 23-484, the city of Dallas says it is proud to support pro-abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood and The Afiya Center. They also claimed that “each of us should have the freedom to make decisions about our bodies, our lives, and our futures with respect and dignity, including when and how to become parents, without barriers based on who we are, how much we earn or where we’re from.”

The resolution also supports the immediate passage of the Equal Access to Abortion Coverage in Health Insurance Act of 2021, which they say would ensure “affordable access to abortion” to all individuals, regardless of whether they are insured or not.

The city also stated in the resolution that they support the immediate passage of the Women’s Health Protection Act of 2022, which would protect the right to abortion and prohibit governmental restrictions on abortion.

State Rep. Nate Schatzline of Fort Worth, along with 15 other state representatives, has called on Attorney General Ken Paxton to review the memorandum to ensure the city cannot take further actions that would violate Texas state law.

“The resolution advocates for a number of troubling items that we believe conflict with state law in regards to abortion,” said Schatzline. “The resolution states, among other things, that the City of Dallas is committed to supporting the killing of an innocent human life with no limits, that they will support Planned Parenthood and other centers and funds that provide abortion, and that they city further commits to working with local activists to advance radical pro-abortion policies that are direct contrast to state law.”

State Rep. Tony Tinderholt (R–Arlington), who is also a part of the coalition calling for Paxton to investigate, says what the City of Dallas is doing is “disgusting.”

“It is disgusting to see a city, funded by taxpayer dollars, voice opposition to equal human rights for our most vulnerable citizens, children in the womb. Perhaps if the City of Dallas so strongly opposes the State of Texas’ decision to protect the unborn, they should turn down some of the state funding they receive,” said Tinderholt.

The following lawmakers have also signed onto the letter: Briscoe Cain (R–Deer Park), Benjamin Bumgarner (R–Flower Mound), Mark Dorazio (R–Leon Springs), Caroline Harris (R–Round Rock), Brian Harrison (R–Midlothian), Carrie Isaac (R–Dripping Springs), Richard Hayes (R–Denton), Terri Leo-Wilson (R–Galveston), Matt Schaefer (R–Tyler), Bryan Slaton (R–Greenville), Valoree Swanson (R–Spring), Steve Toth (R–The Woodlands), Ellen Troxclair (R–Marble Falls), and Cody Vasut (R–Angleton).

As of publishing, Paxton’s office did not respond to a request for comment on the letter.

Emily Medeiros

Emily graduated from the University of Oklahoma majoring in Journalism. She is excited to use her research and writing skills to report on important issues around Texas.