Pro-Lifers Celebrate As U.S. Supreme Court Lets Texas Heartbeat Law Stand

On Friday the U.S. Supreme Court chose not to strike down a 2021 Texas law that generally prohibits abortion after an unborn baby’s heartbeat is detected.

The law has effectively prevented abortion in Texas since September.

Multiple pro-life organizations and leaders praised the court’s decision to let the Texas law stand.

National Right to Life Committee President Carol Tobias issued a statement, saying

Today’s Supreme Court decision will continue to allow the Texas Heartbeat Bill to stay in effect. We look forward to this Texas law continuing to save lives.

Family Policy Alliance in Colorado Springs also applauded the ruling in a press release, writing,

“Today, the Court has ensured that more Texas children will have the chance to celebrate a birthday. We celebrate today’s victory with our friends in Texas, and eagerly await the day when every child across America has a chance to celebrate a birthday.”

By dismissing the Biden-Harris administration’s attack on preborn children – and the attacks of many others – the Court has sent a clear signal that life is winning. But this is only the beginning. In 2022, the Court is expected to rule on a case that has the potential to unravel the dark reign of Roe v. Wade. Even as we await that decision, and as other challenges to the Texas law work through the legal system, we are already working for a nation after Roe.

Steven Ertelt at Life News wrote,

Today’s ruling means thousands more unborn children will be saved from abortions, as many women decide to keep their baby instead of ending their child’s life. Meanwhile, pregnancy centers that provide actual help and support for pregnant women are also experiencing higher numbers of calls and visit and are saving more babies from abortion.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national pro-life organization Susan B. Anthony List, celebrated the court’s decision, saying,

“We celebrate that the Texas Heartbeat Act will remain in effect, saving the lives of unborn children and protecting mothers while litigation continues in lower courts. Meanwhile, we anxiously await the Court’s decision in the Dobbs case in which the Court is directly considering the constitutionality of laws that protect unborn children and mothers prior to viability. Dobbs presents the biggest opportunity in generations to modernize our laws. We have great hope that the Court will return the issue back to the people to decide through their elected representatives, letting democracy and consensus prevail.”

Last week legislators in Arkansas filed multiple pieces of pro-life legislation similar to Texas’ heartbeat law. However, after approving tax cuts, the General Assembly voted on Thursday to end the special legislative session. Arkansas lawmakers adjourned the day before the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision — without taking up a Texas-type abortion law.