Following the failure of a proposal to crack down on the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs before the regular legislative session adjourned, a coalition of pro-life lawmakers and organizations—including Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick—is calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to add the measure to the upcoming special session.
Senate Bill 2880, titled the Woman and Child Protection Act, would allow private civil lawsuits against those who manufacture, distribute, or facilitate the delivery of abortion-inducing drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol. While the legislation cleared the Senate, it was passed late out of the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by State Rep. Ken King (R–Canadian), and never made it to the Calendars Committee.
In a letter sent to Abbott on Tuesday, the anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision that allowed states to criminalize abortion, dozens of state lawmakers and pro-life organizations urged him to place the issue on the agenda.
“Approximately 19,000 abortion pills are mailed into Texas each year,” the letter states. “Every successful abortion ends the life of an innocent preborn child and places a woman at serious risk.”
The letter was spearheaded by Texas Right to Life. The group argues that while mailing or administering abortion pills in Texas is already illegal, enforcement tools are lacking—particularly when it comes to out-of-state actors.
“The Woman and Child Protection Act offers a strategic and compassionate solution,” the signers write. “It targets those who promote, manufacture, and distribute these deadly drugs—not the women caught in desperate and coercive circumstances.”
Supporters of the legislation also pointed to recent incidents, including the arrest of a North Texas man who allegedly slipped abortion drugs into his girlfriend’s drink, as evidence of a growing problem.
“This has been a Pro-Life Priority for our groups this year,” the coalition wrote. “Texas has led the nation in Pro-Life policy, but the flood of abortion pills pouring into our state threatens to undo our progress.”
Abbott has not yet announced the full agenda for the July 21 special session. In a statement earlier this week, he said that “monumental progress” was made during the regular session, but more work remains to be done.
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