Texas House Passes Dangerous Bill to Essentially End Access to Abortion Across State
For Immediate Release: June 26, 2013
Despite more than 1,000 Texans rallying at the State Capitol today in opposition to dangerous legislation that will essentially eliminate access to abortion in Texas, the state House of Representatives approved the legislation tonight.
Following is a statement from Cecile Richards, President, Planned Parenthood Action Fund:
“Like never before, people in Texas are standing up to demand that politicians respect women’s ability to make our own personal medical decisions, and the whole country is watching. This bill would endanger the health and safety of millions of women in Texas. If this passes, abortion would be virtually banned in the state of Texas, and many women could be forced to resort to dangerous and unsafe measures.
“This bill is dangerous and deeply unpopular, and it will hurt a lot of women. We won’t go back, we won’t back down, and we won’t forget when these politicians are on the ballot.”
BACKGROUND
In the first few months of 2013, more than 300 provisions to restrict abortion access were introduced in state legislatures across the country, signaling this year would be just as bad as the record-breaking worst years for women’s health in 2011 and 2012. Earlier this year, Governor Rick Perry said he wants to make abortion “a thing of the past” in Texas. Senate Bill 5 is part and parcel of that strategy.
Earlier this month, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, a national organization representing thousands of women’s health experts, came out against these types of abortion restrictions, reinforcing that they are dangerous to patients’ health and safety.