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.

AR Lawmakers File Second Texas-Style Pro-Life Bill

Above: Rep. Bentley presents pro-life legislation in the Arkansas House of Representatives in this file photo from March 3, 2021.

On Wednesday Rep. Mary Bentley (R – Perryville) and Sen. Jason Rapert (R – Conway) filed H.B. 1010, the Arkansas Human Heartbeat and Human Life Civil Justice Act, at the state legislature’s special session.

The bill appears to be virtually identical to S.B. 13 that Sen. Rapert filed on Tuesday.

H.B. 1010 is very similar to the heartbeat law that Texas passed earlier this year. Texas’ pro-life law has generally stopped abortion in that state. If passed, H.B. 1010 could stop abortions in Arkansas as well.

Here are some key facts about H.B. 1010 and S.B. 13:

  • Both bills prohibit abortion in Arkansas, except to save the life of the mother.
  • If passed, H.B. 1010 and S.B. 13 would let any Arkansas resident file a lawsuit against anyone who performs an abortion or who directly aids or abets an abortion.
  • The bills are very similar to Texas’ heartbeat law; so far Texas’ law has withstood legal challenges.
  • Both measures are very similar to Arkansas’ “trigger law” — Act 180 of 2019 — and to Act 309 of 2021 prohibiting abortion in Arkansas.
  • H.B. 1010 and S.B. 13 would not subject a woman to criminal or civil penalties for having an abortion, and they would not let a rapist file a lawsuit if his victim has an abortion.

News articles indicate that a growing number of women have travelled to Arkansas for abortions since abortion facilities in Texas closed in September. Without S.B. 13 or H.B. 1010, Arkansas could see more women cross state lines for abortions.

H.B. 1010 is a good, pro-life measure that could stop abortion in Arkansas.

You Can Read H.B. 1010 Here.